After watching yesterday’s 1-0 loss to Manchester City, I am now convinced Arsenal will finish the season in the middle of the Premier League pack with the likes of Crystal Palace, Southampton and Leeds United.
Mikel Arteta has so much work to do before Arsenal gets even close to the level of play Manchester City is currently achieving. Pep Guardiola and his squad have won 17 straight games in all competitions, and haven’t lost a Premier League since early November, 2020. Pep’s City is now 10 points clear of Manchester United at the top of the Premier League table, and they still have a chance to win the Champions League, the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup.
Even though the Gunners lost only 1-0 to Man City, you could just see the difference in the quality of play on the pitch. Now, I’m now disrespecting the Gunners, I mean they did put up a helluva a fight on Sunday, however, City’s overall flow in the game, their teamwork and their vision to find open spaces is why they call football, “the beautiful game.” Manchester City plays beautiful football. Period.
In my opinion, Arteta will need at least another two transfer windows to acquire the players his type of football he wants to play. It is my guess that Arteta will fashion his team in the image of the current City team, and their style of play. However, this will not happen overnight. We can already see a vast improvement in the defense, the pressing, and the commitment. Now, if the boss can just get the offensive machine working just as effectively, the Gunners will be set to challenge consistently with the big boys.
Unfortunately, I think we will have to remain patient for at least another year, maybe two.
Cheers.
Gunner1953
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