'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The historic era of Arsene Wenger is finally over and the Unai Emery revolution is underway at the Emirates Stadium in London. There are signs of a complete overhaul of staff and players to finally end the league title drought that has plagued Arsenal Football Club since the Invincible season of 2003-2004.
Although Arsenal have won the FA Cup 4 times after that and mounted several challenges for the title, they have been unsuccessful in varying degrees with successive top 4 finishes but never doing enough and always falling short. This season will be the same in all likelihood.
1. Unai Emery
Unai Emery may have a great philosophy and unique training methods, but one thing we can agree upon is that he doesn’t have a good league record. At Sevilla, he couldn’t break Barcelona and Real Madrid’s monopoly in the league, but he cannot be blamed for it considering the nature of the league. He spent two seasons at PSG, a team that has been completely dominating Ligue 1 with it’s unmatched budget and team. Yet, he was unable to win the Ligue 1 in 2016-17, usurped by surprise Monaco.
He is considered to be more of a cup specialist having won 3 successive UEFA Europa titles at Sevilla which is a massive achievement. He also won 2 Coupe de France and 2 Coupe de la Ligue titles with PSG. However, the main reason why PSG recruited him in the first place was to win the elusive Champions League, but it was not to be as his sie two humiliating exits from the competition.
Though his record in cups is unquestionable, the same cannot be said about his record in league campaigns. It remains to be seen if he can adjust to the Premier league, which is arguably the toughest and most unpredictable league in the world.
2. Competition
While Arsenal have strengthened in key areas, their competitors have strengthened their previously superior squads even more. Liverpool have signed Naby Keita, Xherdan Shaqiri, Fabinho and Alisson and are favorites to challenge Manchester City for the title. Chelsea has signed midfield star Jorginho from Napoli. Manchester City have signed Riyad Mahrez and Claudio Gomes. Manchester United have signed Diogo Dalot, Fred and Lee Grant. Only Tottenham haven’t made any signings, but we can expect a few signings more from every team before the transfer window shuts.
Stephan Lichtsteiner will add valuable squad depth but will is not a massive upgrade on Hector Bellerin due to his age. Bernd Leno has a lot of potential but has been inconsistent so far making the odd error. Sokratis Papastathopoulos is 30 and has been average the last two seasons. Matteo Guendouzi is one for the future. Only Lucas Torreira is expected to hit the ground running.
Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea look better on paper. Manchester United and Tottenham look like they will make more signings and if Arsenal don’t make more signings it looks like they will be out of the race before it even begins.
3. Squad Depth
Though the squad depth has improved with the new signings, Arsenal are still short on quality players on the bench who can be counted upon to step up in times of need. Arsenal just do not have the squad strength to endure a long grueling season. Arsenal have two left backs in Nacho Monreal and Sead Kolasinac. Sead Kolasinac is not defensively sound and Monreal is injury prone.
Center back is another area of concern with Sokratis, Laurent Koscielny, Shkodran Mustafi, Rob Holding, Calum Chambers and Mavropanos in the squad. Sokratis has been average for the past two seasons, Koscielny will miss the first few months of the season and is past his best. Mustafi has been highly inconsistent and was criticized by Arsenal fans last year for his lethargic play and the latter 3 have huge potential but need more experience.
Arsenal’s attack will need one more striker and backup defensive midfielder to provide cover for Torreira. They will need to clear out deadwood like Carl Jenkinson, Danny Welbeck, Joel Campbell and Alex Iwobi and sign adequate replacements.
Arsenal, under Unai Emery still remain a work in progress and there's a lot of work left to be done for them to pose a stiff challenge for the Premier League title.
