Arsenal Have Shown They Are For Real with Arteta & Co.
It’s finally time. The Process has flourished and everyone is seeing the results through the league table. 2022 has been completely dominated by Mikel Arteta and Co. (And Erling Haaland) but how have we seen such a turnaround in Arsenal?
Well, the answer is, it hasn’t been that quick of a turnaround. Everyone is simply starting to take notice now, but Arteta has been cooking this team up since the day he arrived here in December of 2019. This summer’s signings coupled with the remarkable development of first-team players have resulted in a complete squad.
Even last season, I called it. Anyone could see it coming. This team was built for the future, yet some people were still too caught up in their biased and predetermined ideas about Arsenal to open their eyes and just accept it. Shoutout to Max and his finished Spurs squad dependent on two aging players. Love to see this. In fact, Arsenal vs Tottenham is the perfect comparison between a true project with a plan versus a squad that just goes and buys players. That’s the reason Arsenal are where they are today.
The growth of the young wingers has been predictable but immensely fun to see. Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli both have a case for the best winger in the entire EPL this season. Add a “freed” Gabriel Jesus into the mix and you can see why this front 3 has been a load for any defense to deal with this season. Now Jesus does lack the finishing of a true number 9, but his movement and quick foot skills have been unreal, especially around the box. True game-changer.
Midfield has been quite consistent. Odegaard seems to never have a bad game. Thomas Partey might be the best holding mid in the EPL. And Granit Xhaka. Man oh man, has Xhaka turned it around. His true box to box play has contributed to loads of goals as well as plenty of crucial balls won.
Arsenal has been completely transformed with William Saliba. His calm demeanor, great physicality and stunning athleticism screams ELITE CB. Outside back depth has been really helpful with Zinchenko being terrific when healthy while Tomiyasu and Tierney have played solid when called upon. Benjamin White though, can’t have enough said about him as he shifted from CB to RB. His seamless transition has been a massive game-changer as he’s shut down wingers and really developed a strong overlap on the right hand side.
Gabriel on the other hand is clearly the weakness of the team and his mistakes have generally been what have cost the Gunners this year. To take the next step though, I’m not sure Arsenal can be consistently elite with Gabriel. It must be Ben White and Saliba playing in the middle with say Zinchenko on one side and Tomiyasu on the other. Trust me on that one Mikel.
As the season continues, only one question is on Arsenal fans’ minds. Can the Gunners sustain this exceptional form and truly challenge Man City for the title? Or have the first few months been a fluke. I’m not sure I know the answer but I do know it’s finally a great time to be supporting the North London boys in red.
