Arsenal: What are the season’s priorities now?

After a very controversial January transfer window, Arsenal have finally strengthened their squad. So which competition should Arsene Wenger now prioritise?

Arsenal now look like a side that could challenge for a title. Unfortunately, it’s a little late for that. In the January transfer window, a myriad of moves were made. They strengthened significantly with the additions of the creative Henrikh Mkhitaryan and the ever-lethal Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, while also shipping out the disruptive Alexis Sanchez and depth players like Francis Coquelin, Theo Walcott and Olivier Giroud, among others.

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As we enter the second half of the season, the Gunners are still in three competitions: Premier League, Carabao Cup, and the Europa League. But which one should be the priority for Arsene Wenger and his players?

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They have had a pretty easy run into the Carabao Cup final. Starting with a 1-0 win over Doncaster Rovers in September and then a less than convincing win against Norwich City in the proceeding round, a win that saw Eddie Nketiah save them at the death, they did not actually score more than one goal in the 90 minutes until the second leg of their semi-final against Chelsea.

In that semi-final, the Gunners battled in the first leg and bullied in the second. They defended their way to a 0-0 draw at Stamford Bridge, before walking out 2-1 victors in the return home leg thanks to Granit Xhaka’s chip over Willy Caballero. They now play Manchester City on the 25th of February at Wembley. This is by far their best chance of a trophy, and with only one game to play, would not require a great many resources.

Like the Carabao Cup, the Europa League is Arsenal’s only chance of winning a trophy this season, but the path is far, far tougher. Having won a lacklustre group with 13 points, beating BATE Borisov, FC Koln and Red Star Belgrade, they now travel to Sweden to play Ostersund FK. It is a tie that will be heavy favourites to win.

The problem for Arsenal is the competition. Napoli, RB Leipzig and Borussia Dortmund are all still in the competition and they will pose major problems if the draw is unkind. However, not only is the Champions League ever-slighted little brother a chance of winning a European trophy, something that Wenger has never done during his 21 years in North London, but it is an avenue for qualification for next season’s Champions League. It would be wise to commit.

Finally, the Premier League. The title has gone, with too many slip-ups throughout the campaign, allied with Manchester City’s relentless form, that has been far too much to keep pace with. But while the adulation of a first league win since 2004 may be out of reach, the signings that were made suggests that Wenger is readying a challenge for the top four and qualification for the Champions League. Given the revenue and reputation that the Champions League grants, it is something that Wenger and his players need to achieve this year.

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Arsenal have plenty of competitions to focus on. Trophies can come in the Carabao Cup and Europa League, though they still have plenty of work to do in the latter, and Champions League comes through the top four or the Europa League also. It will be interesting to see what Wenger priorities, but there is only one that offers both desires of the season.