As Mikel Arteta eyes the start of 2024/25, he knows he’s at a fork in the road. Under his stewardship, Arsenal has enjoyed periods of eye-catching greatness. Their remarkable run to the UEFA Champions League semi-finals, highlighted by a show-stopping upset of the all-powerful Real Madrid, which has won 15 tournament titles, leaves you slack-jawed and awestruck. The pressure is starting to really mount on Arteta. No trophy for the last five seasons. He’s finished no higher than 10th in the Premier League. For Arteta and his squad, however, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Beyond that, they do have a bit more of a settled team than Manchester City’s as well as a growing roster of young talent.
Looking past the promise that’s been demonstrated through the campaigns this year, the challenges are clear. Arsenal’s squad depth remains a concern, limiting Arteta’s ability to rotate players effectively compared to rivals like Liverpool. As the new season draws ever closer, there is a different kind of urgency in and around the club this time around. A sixth straight year without silverware would make the naysayers among the fan base even louder. It would similarly generate doubt amongst those who have faith in Arteta’s vision.
The Age Factor and Squad Stability
Arteta’s squad, on the face of it, has one more younger key player than that of their biggest rivals Liverpool. This youthfulness has proven to be both an asset and a liability. While players like Bukayo Saka bring immense potential and energy, they face the risk of burnout, as evidenced by recent injuries. Considering the pressure placed on Arsenal’s talented youngsters, one would even question whether or not they have been physically readied for such grueling match schedules.
Manchester City hazz the most talented deep squad in the history of soccer, and are notably terrific at using it in its rotation. Arsenal has struggled to rotate its squad effectively. This gap has been especially harmful during important tournament games, where exhaustion may become a third team on the pitch. Arteta himself acknowledged the challenge:
“The gap, in many areas, we cannot improve it in two months, but the gap between accountability, the energy, the commitment, the fight of the two teams is now equal.” – Mikel Arteta
This would indicate that Arsenal is a work in progress. These leaders still have a long way to go to achieve the full potential even as their nearest competitors.
The Trophy Drought
Arteta’s tenure has not yielded trophies, leading to increasing scrutiny from fans and pundits alike. It’s a make or break season for the newly appointed gaffer. Should he be unsuccessful in winning silverware, that will go down as five years without a major trophy. Yet this daunting prospect weighs heavy upon Arsenal as they embark on another season of hunger-filled promise.
Yet the pressure to succeed is overwhelming. This has led some supporters to feel as though next season is the make-or-break campaign for Arteta’s legacy with Arsenal. Jamie Carragher noted the weight of expectations:
“No more talk of progress – it’s time to deliver.” – Sky Sports’ Peter Smith
The longer Arsenal fans wait, and understandably so, the higher the stakes become for Arteta.
“There’s no doubt next season the pressure will be on Arteta massively in terms of winning something and winning something big.” – Sky Sports’ Jamie Carragher
Arteta will need to learn from what went wrong this past season if he wants to best tackle the stormy times that lie ahead. The glory of claiming second place in the league has been tarnished by the reality of being so close to a breakthrough season. While his previous successes have sparked belief amongst the Arsenal fanbase once more, that belief starts to fade away without proof in the pudding.
Learning from Experience
The former striker Alan Smith remarked on the inherent pressures of managing at a club like Arsenal:
With the pressure and expectations that comes with success, Arteta needs to see from his team that they are learning from successes and failures. Clinton Morrison warns that frustrations may soon surface among fans if progress stagnates:
“Pressure comes with the territory.” – Former Arsenal striker Alan Smith
We know the road ahead will not be easy. It equally provides Arteta an opportunity to further cement his legacy at a club that has seen its share of peaks and valleys as of late.
“Arsenal fans could start to become frustrated.” – Sky Sports’ Clinton Morrison
The journey ahead is fraught with challenges, but it also presents an opportunity for Arteta to solidify his legacy at a club that has seen its fair share of ups and downs in recent years.
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