What happens if Arsenal don’t win the league?
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What happens if Arsenal don’t win the league?

25/04/24 08:43

Arsenal defeated fierce city rivals Chelsea in a five-nil thrashing on Tuesday night, to go four points clear at the top of the table. With just four games remaining, if the Gunners win them all they just need one slip up from Man City, who have two games in hand, to claim the title.

If Man City do end up winning their fourth title in a row what does that mean for the Gunners and more specifically Mikel Arteta?

The media and fans alike have always gone through a cycle of praise and criticism for Mikel Arteta as while they applaud him for his playing style and the squad he has built, they critique him for not getting over the finish line.

Arteta

If Arsenal fall at the final hurdle yet again, next season may be the final straw for some people, even for some Arsenal fans. The club are now well established as title challengers but that can’t be respected if they can’t actually beat teams to the title.

Questions will be asked of Arteta and his ability to win Arsenal major honours and that additional pressure is something the players and club as a whole will have to accept. Many will question whether anopther manager would do a better job and this conversation will never end until the Spaniard can get his hands on a major title for the Gunners.

This summer Arsenal need to be ruthless in the transfer market and let go of players who are wasting a spot in the squad.

Emile Smith Rowe, may be a Hale End product but he simply isn’t the same player he was two years ago. Injuries have ruined what was once there and he isn’t capable of competing for a place in the team and Arsenal need to improve their depth to challenge City.

Arsenal need to unlock the potential of their left hand side as they are far too reliant on the output from the likes of Martin Ødegaard and Bukayo Saka and bringing in a new midfielder could work for the Gunners.

Switching Ødegaard to the other side and switching with Kai Havertz could be what's needed as the likes of Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard haven’t had the chance to play with Ødegaard in the same way Saka has.

Timber

Jurrien Timber needs to make a statement next season and become Arsenal’s starting left back just as he was supposed to at the start of this season. The Dutch defender showed so much promise in pre-season and would’ve undoubtedly improved the Gunners this season if it wasn’t for him tearing his ACL against Nottingham Forest at the start of the season.

The rumoured signing of Viktor Gyokeres would add the much needed firepower to the Arsenal frontline and with the adaptability of the Swedish attacker, there is the option that he could also play out wide on the left.

The most important thing Arsenal have to change for next season is finding a competent backup for Bukayo Saka, who can be trusted to play regularly as most Arsenal fans are sick to death of seeing the young star not get a rest. There is reported interest in Michael Olise who is expected to leave Crystal Palace this summer and with Premier League experience, the Frenchman would be a quality option for Arsenal in the transfer window.

Saka

The pressure to win the Premier League or Champions league will be instantly put onto this Arsenal team if they go another season trophyless. This side has shown a lot of promise but getting over the line is crucial to the future of the club as if they keep this up, certain players may look to move elsewhere to win silverware.

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