Mikel Arteta has transformed Arsenal, and that is no stretch by any means. From finishing fifth in the 2021/22 campaign to challenging Manchester City for the Premier League title this past season, the Arsenal squad have overperformed.
There have been few reasons for disappointment this season, and even after draws or defeats, Mikel Arteta has generally shed light on the positive aspects of the Gunners’ renaissance. Overall, Arsenal fans will be upset for failing to win the Premier League after leading the table for a record-breaking 248 days of the season, but deep down they will know the club was always ill-equipped to challenge Manchester City.
After a season of tremendous progress, Arteta knows what the club needs in the long-term future. On that note, here are the three areas Arsenal should improve on next season to mount another serious title challenge.
- Improve the squad depth
Mikel Arteta will be wary of the fact that this Arsenal squad isn’t up to the mark to truly challenge Man City for the league title. He got the best out of the current group of players and also managed the tricky injury situations well, but to take the Gunners to the next level the Spaniard will need a quality bench.
The likes of Rob Holding, Fabio Vieira and Kieran Tierney didn’t contribute much when called upon by the manager, while Takehiro Tomiyasu spent the second half of the campaign on the sidelines. Up top, there appears to be a vacancy for a striker who can compete with Gabriel Jesus; and on the right flank, there isn’t anyone to push Bukayo Saka.
To keep up the good work and go again next season, Arteta will need better alternative options—players whose rotation into the side will not lead to a drop-off in the quality of play.
- Bringing in more personality and experienced heads
Of all the great teams in the history of the game who have gone on to achieve big things in the world, a common denominator between them all is leadership—which one could suggest Arteta’s Arsenal side lack.
This Arsenal squad under Arteta is the second-youngest in the division behind the relegated Southampton, but the players’ collective failure to keep emotions in check and react to the situation contributed hugely to their title aspirations falling flat.
Adding experienced campaigners and strong personalities, therefore, in the dressing room and out on the pitch would provide the Gunners with that extra push next term.
- Conjure up fresh surprises
There is a clear blueprint and structure of how Arteta wants his Arsenal team to play. Setting up in a 4-2-3-1/4-3-3, which usually features a few tweaks, they were successful in beating teams such as Man United, Newcastle United, Liverpool, Brighton, Spurs and Chelsea.
Perhaps, Arteta will also wonder whether opponents figured out the fundamentals of his team’s approach throughout the 2022-23 campaign. At times, Arsenal were vulnerable to a high press and, with that, resulted in a sloppy build-up from the back.
Unavoidable mistakes in the first-phase build-up led to goals against Southampton and Brighton, along with what may have been a season-turning penalty award for West Ham in the 2-2 draw at the London Stadium. Thus, in a league that is becoming extremely competent season after season, Arteta must come up with fresh ideas and more than one tactical plan.
