Arsenal: More ‘team meetings’ is exactly what is needed

Arsenal’s Shkodran Mustafi stated that the players held a ‘team meeting’ during a rut earlier in the year. With recent results seemingly on the up, maybe more are needed.

So far in 2018, Arsenal have lost eight games in all competitions. That is not a record to be proud of. But more recently, results have, slightly, improved. After wins against AC Milan in the Europa League and Watford in the Premier League, something’s changed.

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The change, it seems, stemmed from a team meeting that Per Mertesacker instigated, as Shkodran Mustafi revealed:

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"“Everyone knew it was a difficult period. The meeting was about trying to listen to different opinions, different ideas and different feelings, and I think we found a way to try to change a bit.”"

Whatever it was, it was needed, and welcomed. After defeats to league leaders Manchester City and newly promoted side Brighton, it was looking very bleak for Arsene Wenger’s men. Losing to City is almost inevitable. But the manner of the two defeats was absolutely unacceptable.

Losing to Brighton, on the other hand, came as a shock. Although the Gunners’ form at the time was disastrous, they should have been dispatching with a newly-promoted team that was fighting against relegation. After getting dumped out of the FA Cup by Nottingham Forest earlier in the year, losing to Swedish side FK Ostersunds in the second leg of their Europa League tie, questions were being asked.

With all that in mind, then, should the club be having more ‘team meetings’ and maybe more time together sharing their ideas and concerns? Whatever was said at the meeting, it worked, wonderfully.

The demolition of Watford really showed what this team is capable of with a strong backline and free-flowing attack. If the players were to keep up this form for the rest of the season, then maybe they could salvage at least a shred of dignity.

With the end of the season fast approaching, it would be wise for the Arsenal players to continue this fine form. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Henrikh Mkhitaryan are finally beginning to click. Perhaps Alexandre Lacazette may hit his best form after returning from injury. Alex Iwobi looked good for Nigeria during the international break. Aaron Ramsey is finally fit and firing. Granit Xhaka has improved drastically.

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There is the opportunity for the remainder of this season to actually inspire a positive note. That does not make up for the disappointments of the campaign as a whole, but it does provide a little comfort and hope for the future. The influence of this ‘team meeting’, therefore, should not be overlooked. It worked. Perhaps more are needed.