Shortly after the final whistle at the Emirates on Sunday, Mike Dunlap of NBA side Milwaukee Bucks offered his two cents on Arsenal’s shattered dreams.
“Growth can be painful sometimes,” the man who is part of Mikel Arteta’s infamous coaching group told Mail Sport.
This week it will be difficult for Arteta and his players to see through the fog of disappointment. To highlight the positives of a remarkable campaign and the lessons to be learned from the past two months.
But amid the rubble of that result and their failed title bid lie building blocks for an even brighter future.
Here, Mail Sport takes a look at what cost Arsenal in their fight against Manchester City – and what they can do to get back.
Arsenal’s bid to win the Premier League title is all but over after being beaten by Brighton
THIN SQUAD
Sunday’s double header highlighted the challenge of trying to compete with City. It is remarkable that Arsenal have matched them for so long.
At Goodison Park, with Real Madrid coming on midweek, Pep Guardiola shuffled his pack against Everton.
John Stones, Jack Grealish, Bernardo Silva and Kevin De Bruyne were all rested. Aymeric Laporte, Riyad Mahrez, Julian Alvarez and Phil Foden arrive. A nonsense of wealth.
It’s no coincidence that Arteta, on the other hand, only made one forced change. The Arsenal boss has made 12 fewer changes to his starting XI than any other Premier League manager this season. This helped his side freeze and allowed the suits to develop. But it also illustrated the lack of resources.
Pep Guardiola was able to rest a host of big names against Everton ahead of their clash with Real
Arsenal’s starting XI has been a game for everyone this season. But the downfall of many fringe players has been too great.
William Saliba’s recent injury, for example, has proven costly. The same goes for the fitness of Thomas Partey. It’s no wonder, really. Arsenal are ahead of schedule. They are not built for a title challenge. Not to mention the demands of Europe as well.
As Arteta conceded: “With the level required for the Premier League and to challenge for the Champions League, there’s a lot to think about.”
GREEN GUNNERS
Aaron Ramsdale admitted not too long ago that many Arsenal players were unsure how to cope with the demands of a title chase. The goalkeeper didn’t suggest they were intimidated by the challenge – they were simply entering uncharted waters as the second-youngest average starting XI in the league.
Arteta has deflected suggestions that pressure is to blame for their blip, recently saying, “I don’t even want to think about it. If so, you are not ready to take the next step required at this level. So if this is the reality, it will not be acceptable.
But there have been indications – heightened emotions, individual errors, even complacency according to their manager – that some Arsenal spirits have been shattered in recent months. It doesn’t help, of course, that Arteta is learning as he goes. Yes, the Spaniard was part of the teams that won the title at City, but steering the ship poses different challenges.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta (left) has deflected suggestions the pressure is to blame for their blip
Since April 1, Arsenal have taken just nine of 21 points while City have lost none
Fans will wonder if Arteta should have rotated his squad more. That his passion for the sideline was both beneficial and detrimental.
They’ll wonder why the control that underpinned their early season success has let them down recently. That they simply ran out of breath.
Arteta dismissed that notion but on April 1, Arsenal were eight points clear. Since then, they have taken nine points from 21 while City have lost none.
BIG SUMMER PARTY?
Arsenal need to back Arteta in the transfer window to ensure all this progress is not thrown away. Especially since their first six rivals will be stronger next season.
The north London club should be busy – they will have to, with several players such as Granit Xhaka and Kieran Tierney linked with moves this summer. Arsenal must arm themselves to compete on several fronts. Their second channel won’t run through Champions League matches like they did in the Europa League.
And that means Arsenal need more than reinforcements. They need more quality and flexibility – different options to give Arteta different ways to play.
Declan Rice is a prime target and would strengthen his midfield. They remain interested in Moises Caicedo, who put in a stunning performance for Brighton on Sunday.
The fact that he came at right-back will not be lost on Arsenal either. They need defensive additions after scoring 25 league goals at home this season – the most in a single campaign since leaving Highbury. Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi is among those on their radar.
Arsenal owners Kroenke Sports & Entertainment have been here before.
West Ham captain Declan Rice is a prime target and would strengthen his midfield
Under a young coach, Sean McVay, the LA Rams reached the Super Bowl in February 2019, only to fail. The Kroenkes backed the coach – bolstering his roster with established stars – and were rewarded with the Vince Lombardi Trophy three years later.
Arsenal co-chairman Josh Kroenke was in the Emirates on Sunday, accompanied by McVay.
The mental scars of this campaign will be harder to mend. Arteta’s players will have to learn from the fine margins of recent weeks, while the manager will have to become more flexible in his selection policy.
It would make Arsenal more unpredictable and versatile. But also help prevent key players from fading into the stretch.
“Arsenal will be back,” Dunlap said. “Steps at a time”.
