As the 2024–25 season draws to a close, Arsenal once again find themselves in familiar territory – close to the Premier League summit, yet staring at another season without silverware. For the last few years under Mikel Arteta, the Gunners have been in the title conversation, but proximity doesn’t equal progress.
Last season (2023–24), Arsenal finished second with 89 points—matching their highest tally in the Emirates era—and pushed Manchester City to the final day. They boasted the best defence in the league and showed mental resilience missing in previous campaigns. So what’s changed in 2024–25?
What’s improved?
The squad is tactically richer and more adaptable. Declan Rice has continued to be a colossal presence in midfield, and Kai Havertz—after an uncertain first year—has truly settled, adding goals and link-up play. Bukayo Saka has hit another level, and William Saliba continues to anchor one of the most disciplined back lines in Europe.
The Champions League journey also deserves credit. Reaching the semi-finals this year marked genuine European progress, a clear sign Arsenal are maturing on the biggest stage.
What’s regressed?
In short: clinical edge and consistency. Despite improvements on paper, Arsenal have dropped points in too many winnable games – especially against mid-table opposition. The 0-0 at Brentford, the collapse at Wolves, and that sluggish defeat to Villa at home in March all felt like moments that real champions navigate differently.
Up front, the striker issue remains unsolved. Gabriel Jesus has struggled with injuries and form. Eddie Nketiah hasn’t made the leap. Havertz is effective, but not a natural No. 9. While Saka and Martinelli contribute, the lack of a 20+ goal centre-forward is the difference between contenders and champions, in my opinion.
What must change for 2025–26?
Arsenal need to sign a clinical striker. If this summer doesn’t bring in an elite finisher – think Viktor Gyökeres, Joshua Zirkzee, or Alexander Isak – Arsenal risk plateauing.
Mentality in key fixtures. Arteta’s men have now gone three years finishing second or close. The hunger is there, but title-winning sides kill off tight games. That killer instinct remains elusive.
Squad depth with genuine quality. Injuries to Jurrien Timber and Thomas Partey exposed thinness in key areas. Arsenal need high-level backups, not just warm bodies.
Arteta deserves credit. This team is tactically intelligent, defensively elite, and growing in stature across Europe. But Arsenal fans know that beautiful football means little without trophies. Especially those who remember 2004 when the club ended the Premier League campaign as champions, without a single defeat – with a record of 26 wins and 12 draws.
If Arsenal don’t get it absolutely right this summer, 2025–26 risks being another season of what-ifs. And this club, steeped in history, deserves more than that, as do the supporters..
I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments Gooners!
Michelle M
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I think there might be some copy-paste errors from last year in the article (nketiah and “clinical” zirkzee”). Not too mention I don’t think saka gone up a level (arguably due to injury of course), and saliba has arguably gone very slightly backwards. Kind of suggests plateau to me 😂
In all seriousness, I think only Gabriel and arguably Raya have maybe improved a little (was going to say rice as well, but it’s only recently he’s really looked *better* than last year imo – though last year he was great anyway), and having timber fit has made a real difference – he’s class. We also have two highly promising youngsters coming through, who have both contributed. Aside from that, I think most players have maintained or regressed, tbh.
Oh, Saka has definitely gone up a level. Before that injury, he was on course to break the assist record. Up until then, he was arguably the most in form attacker in Europe bar Salah.In terms of mentality and consistency, I think he has also matured. He seems more aggressive than before and is developing that bit of arrogance that all superstars have.
Saliba has made more errors this season but I don’t think he has regressed. In fact, there’s one aspect of his game that has improved-He’s taking more responsibility on the ball. So many times this season I’ve seen him carry the ball through midfield from the back. This is something he never used to do.
Great points. I see what you mean though I’m not sure if I agree on saka – point about his output before injury is well taken, though. Maybe I’m too influenced by fluctuations after his injury, which has upset his season imo.
I definitely do see what you mean about saliba, though (now you mention it). He can’t allow himself to become error prone, though – otherwise it’s one step forward, two steps back. Could be we see a spurt next season, though, if he can put it all together.
Davi so many THOUGHS 😂. Was annoying at first reading it but towards the end I ended up loving it, though!! Lol
Yeah I noticed that after posting 😂
In my opinion we have regressed this season in terms of the quality of our football and our League position as i do not believe we shall maintain our second position.The main reason for our failure is the lack of balance in our squad ,for example 4 /5 nominal left backs and not one senior central striker.Fans can point to our unfortunate run of injuries ,but the imbalance is there for all to see.The question is who is accountable for such a fundamental error of judgement?
Grandad,
A lot of what you say I agree with. The team has been screaming out for a genuine number 9 for three seasons now.
I know that the team have scored plenty of goals over the past three seasons, but that said I just think that in the tight 1-0 or 2-1 games for instance, we miss a clinical finisher.
And another thing that I think that holds us back is Arteta’s insistence on playing square pegs in round holes. While I see the the value in versatile players, you can’t tell me that playing players in their natural positions more often than not, isn’t going to get more consistent level’s of performance.
And your question on who is accountable for such a fundamental error of judgement?. Well I think a lot of us know the answer to that don’t we. 😉👍
Derek – allow me to diagnose your points.
1. As an Arteta fan – why do we need a number 9? Gab J is on the rolls. Kai provides some 10-15 goals. What will Arteta do if with GJ if we hire a new CF?GJ will be back in November (and out again by Jan) and Kai will be back soon. Plus we have the other Mikel too. Our focus is on reaching the UCL semis and EPL by default due to some other clubs faults.
2. If he buys round pegs for round holes, where is the challenge and the glory for Mikel? Also round pegs come with big fat egos and personalities, but our supreme manager does not tolerate any other his own. Again a big no
3. Regarding accountability, well, as long as the working class pays the gate fees, as long as we are in Europe we will get sponsors, so whose money ? If there were audits and accountability you would not have Gab J on 265k/week or Kai 331k/week while Isak on 120K/week or Ollie 130K/week (similar to Mikel Morino) who are more consistent while our lads are consistently inconsistent (if reports are to be believed)
Finally progress is measured against benchmarks – As compared to Arsenal’s last season – its PROGRESS. Still second in the league and top 4 in the UCL. If the benchmark is trophies, then its a plateau, if it is entertaining football then its a nosedive downhill.
But its not all doom and gloom – we have Mikel for another year at the least, I’m expecting departures of key players so I’m expecting exciting prospects from CFC and MC. I’ll use the summer break to think of new ideas and lame excuses should we fall again to defend the one and only Mikel Arteta
The Shola Reality Show,
I do enjoy your posts, both in general and your responses to me.
Now Poster’s on here know that I’m in no way Arteta’s biggest fan. But reading some of your posts about him, make me look like his biggest fan.
While I read your post’s, your sarcasm comes through loud and clear. 😂🤣👍😉
Shoba, my apologies. 🙄 OOPS!.
Grandad,
agree with you on most
LB situation has gone from nothing to a lot but a the start we were short. Tomi long term injury, Cali in and out with injury, Zin was why everyone shouted about strengthen that side.
MLS has come on the scene and been brilliant for us.
Timber has switched to RB as BW has been injured.
my prob this season is that we have become to predictable and samey . i wont shout about injuries as it happens to all clubs so that cant be used as excuses
when all fit, it will be interesting to see who stays and who goes.
A lot of people have been criticising Arsenal for having the LB situation whilst not getting a striker. This is a largely disingenuous and unfair narrative as the reasons are not difficult to work out. We have had a number of issues to sort out at LB with injuries and form. We also needed some strengthening in MF.
To get a top class striker is not straightforward, and is expensive. It is notable that in Arsenal’s last summer transfer window although we brought in some players our net spend was fairly low.
To completely disregard context and claim error of judgement is sadly all too typical of certain fans.
Tavares, Zinny, Timber, Calaufori and MLS ( a penalty lurking around the corner) none can match Tierney. Martinelli had his best season with Tierney as LB, But alas, Tierney was hired by the earlier regime, so Mikel has every right to bin him. None of the LBs are worth, we need a new LB every year, a new GK every 2 years. CF not a necessity as we have Gab J and Kai and Merino.
Stop saying nonsense 🤐🤐
Joshua Zirzkee! WTF!!! 😂
Nketiah is past tense.
Super Strikers – Gyokeres, Oshimen and Isak.
I would say plateau at best; we have not really pushed further than last year, and fallen a bit further behind (points) than last year.
Also, most concerning to me is the tactics; lack of plan B and too much rinse and repeat.
This may explain, in part, why we have dropped so many points from draws to losses or from a win and 3 points to a draw and dropping 2 points. Teams have sussed the inverted tactic, and have sussed how to counter Arteta’s style; and Arteta has no answer.
It is more than a “top Striker,” it is a change in tactics by Arteta to actually use the strengths of the striker.
What is the point of Isak or Gyrokeres if Arteta has them playing like Jesus and Havertz? Dropping deep for buildup, all over the field, not taking a position to finish off a chance, but instead used for possession.
Interesting to see the players brought in, and interesting to see if there is a tactical change or the same stale Artetaball.
You absolutely nailed it Durand , Artetas game is built for a false 9 type scorer not a typical out and out striker. We tend to hold the ball, too long. Typical striker thrive when the ball is transited rapidly to them, giving them 1 or at most 2 opponents to beat before the box gets too crowded.
So to fit an Isak or osimhen into our team we need to totally rethink our approach play.
Regression but with reasoning and a light at the end of tunnel. No matter what anyone says injuries have had a massive say in our season. I also think this season has shown us who is up to the task and who isn’t. I believe that Raya, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel,Rice and Saka are all pivot moving forwards. The combination of MLS and Calafiori are enough at left back and same with White at rb. Havertz has a massive role to play still and quite frankly would be starting ahead of Odegaard given his current form. That leaves us still with 4 positions with ? Against them. Any decent cf and lw will instantly make us a better side. A Odegaard upgrade and good dm even if it’s a Partey extension and I would be confident of ending our barren run
How about a good old fashioned poll Martin ?
Used have them over the years .
Arteta in or Arteta out .
Dan Kit,
Wash your mouth out, you can’t say things like that around here. 🤣😂😉👍
Derek,
DK can say what he likes and it would be interesting to see the outcome. if they ran a poll
Will it be a fair poll with the TMJWs of this world and their many JA accounts?
There’s an easy way to prevent that if admin is really concerned.
Now I remember there is no need for account to vote on polls.
It’s difficult to judge whether we have improved,plateaued or regressed because of the injuries we’ve had. I don’t think we have consistently had our best players available.
Many football fans thought Liverpool had regressed last season when they finished third but apparently they had not. They just had to deal with a lot of injuries(and Salah’s absence) last season. With fewer injury issues and a more consistent lineup, they are back where they were.
We still have pretty much the same squad that finished with 89 points last season. Even if we assume we have plateaued, it shouldn’t take much to improve on that. All we need are signings that will elevate the quality of the squad and add depth.
In my opinion we have regressed this season and there are a couple of reasons why I think it’s down to Arteta, but I can’t ignore the main reason for the regression, which to me is down to the injuries.The last time Liverpool suffered similar injury situation, they failed to make top 4 under Klop, think that was 2 seasons ago with Arsenal, City, Man U, and Newcastle qualifying for CL. Now ask yourself why a dominant team like Liverpool the previous seasons failed to make top 4?
We can’t just completely ignore certain facts weather we’re for or against Arteta. As someone who tries to be fair, honest and balanced in my praise and criticism, I think Mikel has done a fine job this season though not with the results we and even himself wanted at the start of the the season.
Just saw this on sky to help back my thoughts and this is coming from a neutral body. “In a campaign where Man Utd and Spurs – who have endured a similar number of injury setbacks, yet sit in the Premier League’s bottom half, while Man City and Chelsea have settled for top-five battles with their injuries – Arsenal actually managed to stay on their same level.”
This is what that table looks like:
1st Liverpool 14
2nd Arsenal 27
3rd Man City 18
4th Newcastle 17
5th Chelsea 17
6th N Forest 10
7th Aston Villa 21
8th Bournemouth 9
9th Brentford 12
10th Brighton 22
11th Fulham 9
12th Crystal Palace 14
13th Wolves 13
14th Everton 11
15th Man Utd. 20
16th Spurs 22
17th West Ham 6
18th Ipswich 19
19th Leicester 13
20th South’n 10
Maybe without the injuries we would be number 1 in the PL (in my opinion we would have won the PL if Liverpool had the same injury crisis we had or if we had the same as them) and would have made it through to CL final. Reality is that we have fallen short and we can’t ignore the main reason for this also while analyzing. In spite of my doubts in Arteta, I still have enough faith in him to win at least the PL for my dear club. I am disappointed and sad now, but I know that the players and coaches has what it takes to deliver the trophies from what I’ve seen thus far, and with the addition of at least a top striker next season we will be in a better position to deliver.
Just to add and reiterate a little. Remind yourself what happened to Newcastle last season with their injuries and CL football? Liverpool also 2 seasons ago failed to make top 4. In a league as competitive as the PL, Mikel has done quite a job to keep us number 2. We have the right to demand better but let’s do that with fairness.
There’s always an excuse with Arsenal. Every season. There will be a new batch next season at this rate too
So should we ignore facts because they don’t support a negative narrative.
20+ years of excuses when it comes to EPL trophy. If you dont notice a pattern at certain points thats on you. 3rd year in a row of an Arteta side not getting over the line when close to a major success. Just pointing out the obvious. Mikel gets paid millions to win, not to have excuses which he always seems to in his back pocket.
Easiest thing for you to say. Facts are the way things happened. I’m not happy with our present situation, neither am I blind to reasonable impediments.
👍
well explain the positive narrative, that we got prize money? Thats not something fans celebrate
“We would have won the league if we didn’t have many injuries”.
Why didn’t we win it twice in a row past 2 seasons when we didn’t have injuries?
@HH
“Why didn’t we win it twice in a row past 2 seasons when we didn’t have injuries?”. Yet another agenda driven fan, who is either lying through his back teeth, doesn’t watch Arsenal, or has memory issues!
So I’ll give the facts.
Two seasons ago we had a ton of injuries, with the Saliba and Tomiyasu ones finally ending any chance of the title for us. Against one of best teams we have ever seen in City that did a treble!
The next season we didn’t have so many injuries, but we still had key players missing like Partey only making 14 league appearances, and Timber missing the whole season. And with the less injuries, we did improve, taking the title to the final day, winning a whopping 16 out of our remaining 18 league games.
Please do your research or stop lying next time.
You say ton of injuries and yet mention only 3 over 2 seasons. No surprise there with your tendency to multiply everything in your ever dishonest posts, Mr “numerous defeats”.
Mr numerous accounts more like 😂
Trolling again I see Dan! I wonder if you’ll ever actually contribute anything meaningful? 🙂
HH,
Who rattled Lucy78’s cage. 😂🤣👍😉
No one! I am just pointing out the blatant lies. HH said we didn’t have any injuries in the previous two seasons, which is the biggest lie I have ever heard.
By all means, criticize Arteta, but don’t lie. People like that need to be called out.
HH
Firstly, you clearly cannot read because I mentioned 4 players, not 3.
Secondly, you actually think we only had 3 injuries in the previous 2 seasons, which proves you have no idea what you’re talking about.
Thank you proving my point!
We have 100% gone backwards in the league. We have 100% plateaud in domestic cups ( which is hard because we have been dire for 5 years) We have 100% done better in CL but bombed out when it started getting warm. We haven’t still looked like winning anything.
And before we start blaming injuries. We lost to a really poor utd team in the FA cup. And to Newcastle in the caribou cup with a virtually fully fit first team, pretty easily.
Don’t forget we bossed Real Madrid over 2 legs, no one mentioned injuries until we lost to PSG and Bournmouth.
Funny how when we win very little mention of injuries, but when we lose it is either the 1st or 2nd excuse; depends how the ref and VAR did in the match.
That’s not true at Durand that no one mentioned injuries and you know it. A lot mentioned it as a course of concern before the tie and so many of us were happy and proud the team got past Madrid even with the injuries. We don’t have to twist things to soothe our narrative do we?
I think he meant, injuries didn’t play a part in the wins but they did in the losses.
Or at least it was by some.
Thanks for helping him explain it better, though it’s quite obvious what he stated above. The truth is a lot of us mentioned it and was happy we beat Madrid despite our injury woes
Exactly Solwills
It’s also the case that lots of people only pitch up on JA to complain after a loss whereas if we are winning, injuries or not, they rarely do.
Reggie was able to get the point, why can’t you?
Injuries are an excuse when we lose, but hardly mentioned when we win.
We currently remain in 2nd in spite of injuries, yet after each loss injuries are brought up why we lost, can’t have it both ways in spite of trying.
Continue with the mental gymnastics though, all the twists and turns are quite entertaining.
Reggie, iirc, we got knocked out of the FA Cup by Utd because of bad finishing, just like last season against Liverpool.
But not injuries?
Jesus went off
Yes he stank!!!!
Quite funny Reggie
But not for Jesus who I thought did his cruciate ligaments
I don’t think we have regressed but we definitely haven’t progressed either more like stagnated and let one or two other teams catch up. Had mancity not dropped form when they did, we would be 3rd on the log now and would be worried about those coming up the table (Newcastle, Nottingham, Chelsea). The reason for this is not the injuries, it was our recruitment this season. We brought in a merino and calafiori, calafiori improved us as we needed cover for zinny, merino on the other hand we didn’t need and he surely didn’t improve squad both up front and in midfield, then there is sterling which boils my blood anytime I remember he is in our team. He added nothing to us, a total waste, that money would have been better used to keep Nelson who I see as a player very close to the skill and level of Desire Doue.
Arteta should be given one more no half a season, if by January next year we aren’t top of the table and flying high in all competitions, then he should be ask to step down, and if he buys us any ex mancity, ex Chelsea players and rejects then we fans should demand he leaves before the window shuts.
All 3.
Progress: We have learnt to be like Tony Pulis’s Stoke relying on set pieces. I suppose this is our plan B.
Plateau: MA has not learnt how to rotate his squad or tactics. Still uses square pegs in round holes. Plan B cannot be the only plan and become Plan A. This is creating injuries. He has his favourites. He is still trying to micro-manage.
Regression: Predictable & boring to watch. Too much emphasis on slow possession based football rather than incisive football and flexible tactics (For example using the pace of Martinelli or having an overlapping fullback like Tierney). Too defensive minded and not taking risks which are necessary in certain games.
Plateau and maybe the end of the Arteta era honestly. His signings have been poor the attack is honestly awful. Havertz the only player not in single digit goals is shocking. The football so boring too. It’s actually sad that we played so fast 1st half of PSG yesterday and then you scratch your head wondering where that enthusiasm has been all season! Very close to being done with Mikel. If we get more bad transfers I will be done. No striker AND lw we will win nothing again
Guess you didn’t see the enthusiasm too against Real Madrid at home. Critics are allowed, I criticize Arteta too, even Pep gets his too, a lot this season for a man who’s won everything for City, but I’m all for fair and balanced criticism.
In your first post you agreed that we have regressed and you said couple of reasons is because of Arteta, yet you didn’t mention those reasons and wrote a lengthy post defending him.
You claim to be balanced and fair and you are not against Arteta criticism. Yet you have yet to give a single criticism against him and all your replies are defending him.
Where is that balance and fairness?
1. lack of enough players quality
2. poor team rotation
For me are main issues
Three memories for me . Beating City ,5-1 and bossing Real Madrid. In those games we saw great goals, passion and future promise. Everything else was regression and standing still from our stale squad and tactics. Securing top two will a serious test, which may bring back some belief to some of us fans who think this season has been wasted.
Of course we haven’t progressed since last year, we are 15 points behind Liverpool. The biggest problem has been the number of draws so far – 13!! It’s our highest number of league draws for 31 years. A proven striker would have helped but please don’t refer to Havertz as a ‘striker’, his league goal average p.a. over the past 9 years is 8. Yet Arteta regularly complains about the number of chances created and missed, the penny should have dropped by now.
MA must go, then we can consider bringing new players and start playing some serious football!
Our team’s lack of consistency has lasted for the past years, and I can truly say it’s MA’s fault!
What phase are we on now, can someone please remind me?
I think it could be 6 PJ-SA.
I think we need a new club dog to be fare.
And we should name it, almost.🤣😂👍😉
What if we buy Florian wirtz 80m, gyokeres 60m, zubimendi 50m, Garcia 20m and Nico Williams 50m.
Would there be any excuse again.
Is any of those 1st 2 players more prolific than Victor Osimhen, Why spending 80m for Wirtz when you can get Victor Osimhen for less and that’s how Arteta preferred Raheem Sterling to Victor Osimhen for loan.
We regressed in the premier league this season because we struggled more to breakdown teams who played the low block. We also conceded goals from winning positions leading to dropped points (21! a record high). Our poor record in the cup competitions (Carabao and FA) has also remained poor due to our inability to finish off games either because of a lack of a clinical finisher or naive tactics of our gaffer. The only competition we’ve improved this season is the champions league in which we go to the semis, something we have not done in 16years.
Overall, we’ve regressed and we have to do better next season by not taking anything for granted. Sign the player we need, sell of the players we don’t need, have a reliable bench, don’t over play your favorite players to the point they start getting injured (rotate regularly), be less predictable in games and master how to dismantle the low block because teams will keep using it against us for the foreseeable future.
What bothers me badly, is how big a mistake Arteta made, not buying a quality striker in January. A most clear and obvious cock up. Threw away the EPL in one window. Such a glaring mistake, I’m not sure I can forgive him. We clearly need Isak or Gyokeres and probably an extra striker. A winger too….and Zubimendi. Let’s hope Arteta doesn’t make cock up again in the summer window.
Really Arsenal is a good haven for managers. It ruins managers. Managers know that, unlike in other top clubs like Chelsea and Utd, instant success is not expected from them. Due to this longevity factor managers do not try to win trophies asap. Had Arteta been in Chelsea and Utd, he surely would not have stayed there by now. Mediocrity as a norm is acceptable at Arsenal. The Kroenkes should sense the bitterness of fans and come forward on the morrow of PSG exit to apologize for not meeting the expectations of fans. Their focus might be other American sports and the financial side of cash cow Arsenal.
I’m happy that Arteta made it yet again clear in his press conference when asked do we need help in attack this summer …..
‘ I couldn’t be more clearer?
Was I not clear in January as well ‘
Good for him
“The 0-0 at Brentford, the collapse at Wolves, and that sluggish defeat to Villa at home in March all felt like moments that real champions navigate differently.”
Which season did these results happen? Correct me if I’m wrong but didn’t we win away at Wolves and Brentford and draw at home to Villa this season?
Yes Dave,
Your correct. Won 3-1 at Brentford. Won 2-0 at Wolves. Drew 2-2 at home to Villa. 😉👍👏
False Dawn!
Arteta cooked the stars.
Can put up with the half court offense, if the team wins, we are in draw hell.
We are cratering another end to the season.
The purchasing of players is below average, permanent crocks, not good enough, loaned out, and not what AFC needed to take the team to the next level.
Pedro, make all the excuses you want, if AFC finish 7th and it is a strong possibility, AFC will not even be in the most important Cup competition that Arteta can be even be held accountable for next year.
Question: asking for a friend.
Who is going to back up our cb’s ever? Ode, if he heals up? Saka, Kai, and Martin ever? Oh, and that guy named Raya.
If Arteta, a World Class coach, runs the same 11 through December, you have your answer.
I do not have faith anything will change, at all……
Key issues in summary and by priority in my opinion
– Very predictable possession based football(not suitable for the performance of a typical striker)
– Poor player rotation policy overworks key players leading to more injuries and demoralises squad players
– A transfer policy aimed at buying perfect players when sometimes a good enough player could supplement the squad and make it stronger e.g. our striker decision in January
– Just plan bad luck (the sheer numbers of red cards early in the season that cost us like 5 points)
Each year from the first season we finished runner-up, the quality of the attacking football has regressed, with the emphasis instead being placed of defensive structure and possession at all costs. And while I will always advocate for good defensive rigidity and consistency, that defence needs a dangerous attack to compliment it and we haven’t had that.
Odegaard has been so poor this season. And while I will always forgive bad games or dips in performance, his lack of character on the pitch is unforgivable. Take the game against PSG for example. No one for Arsenal really played well but effort costs nothing.
Take the PSG chance when the ball was given away in midfield and they ran through on goal. Who made the last ditch tackle that prevented a certain goal? It was Declan Rice. Because Declan knows what it means to be a captain. He had a rare off night but he still gave everything. Where was Odegaard? Effort used in pressing from the front is admirable, but he’s not there when the team needs him. Instead, he’s dropping all the way back to pick up the ball.
People often mistake this behaviour with him trying to take the match by the scruff of the neck but in reality he’s just hiding, doing the easy stuff that Thomas Partey is arguably better at. He’s not affecting the game in any meaningful fashion. I think he needs to be removed from the limelight and given a rest. Nwaneri has demonstrated he’s perfectly capable of playing in this team to no detriment of the general cohesion and unlike Odegaard he actively tries to affect the game.
I like Odegaard but he needs to sort himself out this summer because he hasn’t been anywhere good enough this season. If he can’t then he has to be dropped. I’d rather we lost Odegaard than risk losing Nwaneri because he isn’t getting enough game time. I don’t think Arteta will drop him though. He’s far too stubborn for that and will never drop his golden boy.
Odegaard’s form has dipped but he doesn’t lack character. He doesn’t have the physical strength and sustained running power of Rice so you can’t expect him to be able to cover the ground the same way.
Odegaard controls the way we play, sets the tone for the press and organises the team.
Nwaneri is a talent but can’t do what Odegaard does.
Odegaard needs to improve certain aspects of his play. But to suggest he hides is nonsense.
Arsenal must buy two centre forwards not one I’m saying it again and again, because we don’t have a striker right now. There is no club in the whole world that can spend three seasons without a proper 9. Yes we scored many goals from both Saka and Martinelli, but other teams discovered that strategy and they double marked the two and destroy our plan. That’s why we are blaming our wingers this season, thinking their not doing enough. Lets pray that Mr Arteta buy 2 strikers, in fact that will be enough