What do Arsenal’s current squad lack that Arteta is looking for?

Former Gunner Kevin Campbell has claimed that Arsenal have finally signed the right manager, but will need the players to match our new philosophy.

Mikel Arteta agreed a deal to become the first-team coach in December on a three-and-a-half year contract, and has already impressed the Arsenal faithful with the new style of play which has been instilled.

Results had finally started to come after all the hard work on-and-off the pitch just before the Coronavirus halted play, with our team getting maximum points from three consecutive league matches for the first time this season.

Former Arsenal striker Kevin Campbell is also impressed with the work that Arteta is doing, but insists that the club will need to allow him the personnel to get the full potential out of the coach.

“Everybody thinks Pep Guardiola’s system is attack, attack, attack,” Campbell stated.

“Pep Guardiola’s system is work hard, graft and press the ball. That is what his system is.

“Once you can do that you can play all the pretty football you like because you wear teams out.

“You have to, one: be extra fit, two: you have to have the buy-in from the players in order to do it, and three – and this is probably the most important thing – you have to have the right players, to play it.

“Unfortunately, Mikel Arteta this season is our third manager, so it may take a bit longer because now I think we’ve got the right manager, but now we’re going to have to get the right players in.

“I don’t think we’ve got the right balance of players in our system to play the way Mikel Arteta wants.”

There is talk about Lucas Torreira leaving this summer, while Matteo Guendouzi has had very limited action (started twice in the PL since Arteta arrived), which could tell us that Arteta’s sees his midfield options as his weakest area coming into the coming window. Dani Ceballos loan deal ends in June and a creative player who has energy and is comfortable on the ball will definitely be top of the wish list this summer.

An inverted full-back is also believed to be important to Arteta, although is a tough find with very few right-backs adept to slotting into a midfield role, and it remains to be seen if Cedric Soares can earn a move to our club following his loan from Southampton.

What is the team lacking that Arteta needs to build on his impressive start to life as head coach? Will the midfield be our focal point in the coming window?

Patrick

6 Comments

  1. I believe all bets are now off as to who willcome and who will leave. I am sure Arsenal well know who they wish to leave but selling ANY player for any REAL money is going to be nearly impossible for any club for a long time to come.

    Players will be forced by the new world financial reality to vastly and permanently reduce all salaries, if they wish to stay in the game at all. Vastly reduced TV money, commercial, merchandise bought worldwide and match tickets, including season tickets, will force a new reality on all involved in the game. Ordinary fans will still be massively hungry to watch football but many will simply not be able to afford it. I foresee many more watching in pubs but drinking less and SKY/ BT Sports subs dropping off massively and therefore also the money both offer clubs for the rights. THIS is certain and all that remains uncertain is the actual amount of far less money available . But huge transfer fees are now already dead, both in and out, as the new world monetary reduction dawns on all, rather than merely on some of us.

  2. Jon Fox is absolutely correct in his spot on analysis above.

    As for the on-field personnel changes that Arsenal needs to make in order for Arteta to be successful, a lot will depend on who leaves. As it stands, the club needs two midfielders and possibly one young centerback.

    While Willock could potentially be effective playing behind the striker, if Ozil leaves, a better, more creative midfielder would be needed to replace him. If Ceballos goes back to Spain, at least one midfielder, preferably two, would be needed to replace him. If Torrierra leaves (I would try hard to keep him), he would need to be replaced. Maitland-Niles could potentially replace him, but he may be unwilling to do so (in which case, he should be sold). Xhaka can stay, but a midfielder, preferably one who is better, is needed who can spell him. Guendouzi should be sold while his value is still relatively high.

    In short, the entire midfield needs to be transformed.

    If Mari stays (I would try to keep him) and Mavropanos does well in the preseason (coming back from an impressive loan spell in Germany), it’s possible that an additional young centerback will not be needed. Mari, Luiz, Saliba, Mavropanos and Holding should be enough cover until Chambers is able to play again. However, I would certainly try to acquire Upamecano, if possible. If he is too expensive, Umtiti at half the price would be a bargain. Sokratis and Mustafi should be moved on.

    Finally, I would retain Soares to backup Bellerin at right back since Maitland-Niles doesn’t want to play the position. Soares should be healthy again and offers decent play for a second choice player. The same applies to Kolasinac. If he wants to leave, however, a quality backup for Tierney will be needed because Saka wants to play higher up the pitch and won’t re-sign with Arsenal if Arteta won’t let him.

    You will note that I have not mentioned any of the forwards. Arsenal’s front line is loaded with talent and will only require additions if Aubamayang, Lacazette or Saka leaves. Keeping Saka is crucial: he is a superstar in the making and would be difficult to replace. On the other hand, if Saka stays, it will not be necessary to replace Lacazette if he leaves. That would only give Saka, Martinelli and Nketiah, Pepe and Smith-Rowe more playing time. I love Aubamayang, but given his age, contract demands and potential return, this might be the time to cash in ostrikerwSaka and Martinelli can replace him, perhaps with the help of Ballogun or John-Jules. However, if both Lacazette and Aubamayang leave, Arsenal would be left with a very short front line and might to try to bring in a somewhat taller striker who can win the ball in the air.

    The midfield is the key to Arteta’s success. And right now, Arsenal’s midfield is sorely lacking.

  3. Sell Lacazette: and buy Jadon Sancho
    keep: Özil & Aubameyang if able
    Creative midfield: Van De Beek and/or Jonathan David
    DM: ??
    CB: Unai Nunez

    And Not selling Bellerin

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