3 things Arsenal should focus on besides the top 4

Although many an Arsenal fan is living in hope of a top 4 finish, it’s time to be realistic. The Gunners currently sit seven points off the top 4 spots but are behind a whole host of better clubs. Arsenal must recognise that their league position is a true reflection of their current ability and the teams above them are simply better.

To expect those teams to drop multiple points while Arsenal capitalises on that is unrealistic. Arsenal must now put the rest of the season to better use in preparation for next season. That’s when Mikel Arteta’s work will be critically judged as he would have had a full summer to mould his squad.

Here are 3 things Arsenal should focus on besides the top 4.

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3. Mikel Arteta’s philosophy

Arsenal FC v Sheffield United - Premier League

When the Spaniard was first announced as Arsenal manager, he declared that there were certain non-negotiables that the players must follow. These included hard work, pressing and looking out for each other on the pitch. These are the foundation of Mikel Arteta’s philosophy, but his ideology goes far beyond that. The new manager has ideas on how the ball should progress up until the final third and also ideas on positional play in relation to off the ball.

Arsenal have give or take 10 games left of the season, that gives the Spaniard ample amounts of time to get his ideas across to the team, against high-quality opposition. The same opposition that will feel the wrath of Arsenal next season when they’re fully in tune with the boss’s philosophy. Arteta is in a unique position where he has a free run to train the players he values for the rest of the season, without the added pressure of expectation. If the 37-year-old can’t effectively communicate his tactics over the next few months, he may not be worthy of the job at all.

2. Bedding in more young players

Saka is only 18 years old

If there’s one positive to come out of this season, it’s the emergence of several young players. The likes of Bukayo Saka, Reiss Nelson, Joe Willock and Eddie Nketiah have all had their breakthrough seasons at the Emirates. All three managers this season have deemed them good enough, with Arteta now taking that trust to the next level. The Spaniard has shown that he is not afraid to drop senior players for youngsters and they have more than repaid his faith. In contrast to the senior players, these youngsters have looked hungry and committed to playing for the badge.

Arsenal must focus on embedding young players who want to play for the club over recruiting big-money signings in the summer. The Hale End academy has a plethora of talent ready to burst into the first team. Because let’s be honest, it’s not as though the recruitment policy at Arsenal has worked wonders over the years, so why not take a chance on youth?

1. Identifying the right departures

Should Mesut Ozil leave in the summer?

Arsenal has been in the midst of a major rebuild since the legendary Arsène Wenger left. Being entrenched in the ideals of one man for 22 years was always going to be hard to recover from and the club is still feeling the aftereffects of that reign. Unai Emery’s era did not help matters either as more deadwood players were added to the already growing list. Now Arsenal has been left with a number of players who are on extortionate wages.

In the remaining games of the season, Arteta must identify which players he feels he can work on and which won’t fit his style of play. This process must start now, and their exits must be arranged during the summer because this will provide the financial platform for Arsenal to work with. The financial reports concerning last season are worrying and show that a lack of UEFA Champions League football has severely dented Arsenal’s profits, leaving them cash stricken for transfers. From today, every player should be judged on how they perform until the end of the season.