Arteta Racing Against Time

It should come as no surprise. When a club like Arsenal finishes back-to-back seasons in 8th place in the Premier League the alarm bells are ringing on all cylinders. The highest expectations have been set for the incoming 2021/2022 Premier League campaign for Arsenal, yet the one that seems the calmest is manager Mikel Arteta.

A manager who has divided many fans when it comes to several decisions, Arteta is looking to build a legacy at Arsenal, whether that be a good one or a disastrous one. Less than 20 days left before the first match of the season on the road against Brentford and it seems that the Gunners are far from done in the summer transfer window. Many reports say that Brighton & Hove Albion center-back, Ben White, reportedly completed his medical today, before completing his move to Arsenal for £50m.

While many fans on social media are critical of the defender, there is a bright spot. White’s progressive passing ability is one of the best in his position this past season and is well above the other right-footed center-backs in the current squad for Arsenal.

Under Arteta, Arsenal's defense has vastly improved but the scoring of goals depleted at a rapid pace, especially last season. With several attacking threats in Pierre-Emerick Aubemyang, Nicholas Pepe, Alexandre Lacazette, and others it comes as a surprise that it’s been so difficult to find a formula that produces consistent results.

A major outlier is that there is currently only one true attacking midfielder, Emile Smith Rowe, on the Arsenal roster. A short loan spell last season from Real Madrid midfielder Martin Ødegaard saw inconsistent performances with a nagging injury that kept him out for some matches. Arsenal this summer is linked with Leicester City star James Maddison but the biggest roadblock to striking a deal with Madison's current club is money. As reported by David Ornstein at the beginning of the transfer window, he explained that Arsenal is looking to do their business “quietly” this summer. If a Maddison deal is to be struck, Arsenal may have the money but won’t expend it until all alternatives are exhausted.

Many fans and neutral pundits may not believe that Arsenal can succeed in a deal and will also question why Maddison would leave a club that is in the Champions League to a club that has no European competition at all, but what’s important to remember is last summer owners Stan and Josh Kroenke funded the majority of the money to activate Thomas Partey’s £45m release clause from Athletico Madrid. If the Kroenke’s are willing to fund another big transfer or two, then Maddison may be an Arsenal player towards the end of the summer transfer window, but that’s a big if.

Regardless if Maddison comes to the Emirates or not, the fact that Arteta is facing is that he needs an experienced creative midfielder. Arsenal can’t afford to miss out because the majority of clubs that finished above them have made vast improvements in their squads. As Arteta said at the end of the season, “We have to do better, that we have be much more consistent, to win more games. And in order to do that there are certain things we have to improve.”

The question that remains is how much time will Arteta have during this upcoming season? Only time will tell, but this is a club that for the first time in 25 years will not be in a European competition. Some fans have already demanded that Arteta be replaced during the chaotic run last season, but the Arsenal Board remained firm in their support for the manager. Depending on how many signings are left for Arsenal, this may be the make-or-break season for Arteta.

With the additions of Lokonga, Tavares, and reportedly White it certainly helps his chances to improve Arsenals finish in the Premier League table, but there are so many players left in the squad that is not a part of Arteta’s plans. Players that include Kolisnac, Willian, Bellerin, Nketiah, Willock, and Elneny have all been rumored to be on the oust, yet they all remain at the club.

Understandably, moving several players can take time, but it’s concerning that fellow clubs like Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, and others can make profits off their player sales and decently complete them but Arsenal struggles. It’s a problem that Technical Director Edu Gaspar must fix and deliver the moves that Arteta’s asked for. To be critical of Arteta for the on-field performances is more than justified, but if the transfers that he wants to be done for the Arsenal squad during transfer windows are insufficient, then Arteta can’t be at fault.

Arsenal opens up the Premier League campaign in less than three weeks against a newly promoted side, Brentford on the road. Arteta and company now race against time as they must improve the current Arsenal squad otherwise, it could be another long season for a historic club and another missed opportunity for a potentially promising manager.