It can’t have escaped the notice of even the most casual fan that Arsenal has not had the best premiership season this time around. The true supporter may make the point about points – that in those terms, this season has at least been no worse than many previous – but lose the spin and the facts speak for themselves. We’ve had an appalling run in terms of actually winning matches, and beating non-league Sutton United and Lincoln City hardly posed a challenge. In fact it’s an embarrassment that those victories should be needed as some kind of justification, as is the fact that Arsenal is no longer in the Premier league top four.
Go to any betting websites and you won’t find many backers for Arsenal in the league. FA Cup form notwithstanding, this has been an appalling premier league season. So, what’s to be done about it?
New management
Of course, many would lay the blame firmly at the feet of our glorious leader, and with good reason. The doubts over Arsene Wenger’s future at the Emirates have arguably affected the team’s performance more than any other factor. When what is needed more than anything is strong and definite leadership, fresh ideas and plenty of motivation, we’ve instead seen a manager who refuses to confirm or deny whether he’ll be staying beyond the summer.
Many are calling for him to leave sooner rather than later, and if a manager is only as good as his last match then these voices have a point. Wenger has consistently made the wrong decisions regarding who to play and where, and what’s worse his game plans have become numbingly predictable, allowing the opposition to wrong foot our players at every turn. Wenger may have built up the Invincibles and led the team to some remarkable triumphs, but that was then and this is now. Put simply, it’s time for Wenger to shape up or ship out- or at least make his intentions clear.
New signings
Fresh blood is definitely needed on the pitch, especially with the likely departure of Alexis Sanchez at the end of this season. The Chilean wonder boy has at times been the one shining light in a disorganised and poorly motivated team. Last season’s big money arrivals have proved largely disappointing. Granit Xhaka is still a player with plenty of potential, but has he really justified the £38m spent on him last summer? We need some solid team players, especially in defence where Laurent Koscielny and Hector Bellerin have also failed to live up to their undoubted ability more often than not.
Bad luck has also played a part, with a run of injuries hobbling the side one week after another. However, all of this can be overcome. Arsenal may be down but they’re not out, and we can still pull out the old flair and attack on occasion. But this needs to become the rule again rather than the exception. Strong leadership, self-belief and fresh talent should rejuvenate the club and put Arsenal back where they belong.