Arteta took Arsenal to the quarter finals last season - the first time they have reached the last eight since 2010 - but, realistically, they must go even further in this campaign. If you look at the Premier League table now it is a true reflection of where Arsenal stand: third and the outsiders in a three-horse title race with Liverpool and Chelsea.
Arsenal have fallen short of expectations in the Premier League this season and arguably have gone backwards on last year. Their chances of winning the title are slipping away while the pressure on Arteta to deliver a major trophy is increasing with every season.
Arteta has done a remarkable job in turning around the club’s fortunes as he prepares to celebrate five years in charge after being appointed at the Emirates on December 20, 2019. The Spaniard won an FA Cup, they are still in the Carabao Cup this season and yet Arsenal, having flirted with the title in the past two seasons, want more.
Pundits were queuing up to back them for the title this season… but they have disappointed so far. And you have to look at the recruitment as the reason. They have been unlucky with some refereeing decisions and injuries - but so has everyone else.
Riccardo Calafiori looks a terrific player but has been injury prone since arriving. Was Calafiori and another midfielder in Mikel Merino really the priority when they have been crying out for a centre forward?
More importantly, they needed more quality and creativity on the left wing to actually provide the chances which have been sorely missing from open play. They are the kings of set pieces but are not scoring or creating enough.
And if a squad does not improve or it stays the same then, in Premier League terms, it goes backwards. And that is a bad look for Arteta’s project.
That is why Arsenal need to deliver a serious piece of silverware this season. They have struggled for consistency in Martin Odegaard ’s absence. But now he is back maybe they can go on a winning run.
The Champions League is wide open this season. There is a real chance for Arsenal. They have never won the biggest European trophy before and even in Arsene Wenger ’s greatest period of glory, the closest they got was the 2006 final.
The Invincibles team was arguably the best team in Europe in 2004 - but even they could not get beyond the quarter finals. To win the Champions League would be a huge statement for Arteta.
Manchester City are the perennial favourites with the bookies. But they are having a bizarre season by Pep Guardiola ’s standards. Real Madrid may be coming to an end with Carlo Ancelotti this season.
Liverpool arguably look the best equipped and best team in Europe right now. There is also a major incentive to finish in the top eight of the new-look format so you skip a round.
If Arsenal beat Monaco, they will be well placed to achieve that aim. But this season, they must be genuine contenders rather than also-rans if they want to be considered major players.
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