Having accumulated 56 points, Arsenal finished eighth in the 2019-20 Premier League standings, and looking back at what transpired, they must be gutted by the opportunities they had squandered which restrained them from getting into the top-four spots.
If the Gunners are to challenge for major trophies next season, they need to fix a lot of loopholes this summer. Nonetheless, Mikel Arteta’s troops could still pave their way to the Europa League next season if they manage to topple their arch-rivals Chelsea in the FA Cup final.
In what has been a bag full of mixed emotions and uncertainties, here are five takeaways from Arsenal’s recently concluded league campaign.
Parting Ways With Emery Was Justifiable
The ones sitting on top of Arsenal’s hierarchy were surprisingly brave enough to show Unai Emery the exit door in the first half of the season. It was evident that the Spaniard had no clear-cut tactics or a preferred starting line-up, which is why the club struggled to thrive under his tutelage.
Freddie Ljungberg’s brief reign following the sacking of Emery was a disastrous one but the subsequent appointment of Arteta turned out to be a shrewd move. Although it will take some more time for him to fully implement his philosophy, the early signs have been encouraging.
Arsenal Cannot Afford To Lose Aubameyang
The north London outfit scored 56 goals during the 2019-20 Premier League campaign and their veteran attacker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored one-third of those. The 31-year-old smashed 22 goals and bagged 3 assists in 36 league games, which is simply outstanding, to say the least.
Notably, Aubameyang is the first Arsenal player after Thierry Henry to score 20 goals in back-to-back campaigns, which shows how instrumental he has been for the club. His contract expires next summer and Arteta should not refrain from handing him whatever he wants to keep him at the Emirates Stadium for the coming seasons.
Dani Ceballos Exceeded Expectations
Dani Ceballos dazzled, particularly after the resumption, and there are no two ways about it. Ceballos fits perfectly in Arteta’s plans and has not only been a capable playmaker from a deeper position but has also not shied away from making rigorous defensive contributions.
He has formed an excellent partnership with Granit Xhaka to form the midfield pivot and has been largely successful in making recoveries, carrying the ball from the back, keeping possession and getting forward to create chances, which is why Arsenal must try to sign him permanently.
Emiliano Martinez Rose To The Occasion
Bernd Leno’s presence had overshadowed Emiliano Martinez but after the former’s injury, which he picked up against Brighton and Hove Albion, regular opportunities were given to Martinez. The Argentine grabbed his chances with open arms and earned applause for his reliable outings with the gloves.
The 27-year-old pulled off some astonishing saves and was one of the primary reasons why his team managed to win against Liverpool and Watford. Granted, he had to wait long and hard to prove his mettle at Arsenal but it certainly seems that his best days are ahead of him.
Defensive Frailties Were Exposed, Yet Again
Arsenal have been criticized for their defensive woes for over a decade now and the recently concluded campaign tarnished their image further. Barring Kieran Tierney, all other defenders had their moments of madness which cost the team some important points this term.
William Saliba will be available next season but it will be unfair to pile enormous expectations on the shoulders of the young gun. Arteta needs to clear some deadwood from his defensive ranks and bring at least one proven and reliable central defender to help his team’s cause.
