Arsenal: This is what Unai Emery must overcome

Arsenal have looked mentally and defensively fragile in losses to Crystal Palace and Wolves, just when it mattered most with a top-four finish within touching distance. That is what Unai Emery must overcome.

Just a week ago, Arsenal were handed a wonderful opportunity to move into a position to take hold of a top-four finish. Hosting a now-safe Crystal Palace at the Emirates, where they had won their last ten outings, the Gunners could move into third place with Spurs losing to Manchester City, Manchester United losing to Everton and Chelsea not playing until Monday.

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They squandered that opportunity thanks to some rather horrible defending and wasteful attacking play.

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Then, just three days later, they were handed a shot at redemption. After Chelsea failed to beat Burnley on Monday, Arsenal, travelling to a dangerous Wolves team, could still move to within one point of Spurs in third and above the Blues into fourth. Again, however, thanks to a first-half capitulation, some more comical defending, maddening goalkeeping and aimless passing, they squandered this one too. Two great opportunities. Both missed.

And the reason why they were missed is not due to a lack of talent, although that is clearly an issue that needs addressing this summer. This squad is good enough to beat both Palace and Wolves, especially the former at home where they have been superb all year. The primary reason for their inability to earn just one point from these two matches is the mentality of the team, in terms of the lack of resilience, winning edge, and defensive security.

This is what Unai Emery must overcome. Yes, there are major talent deficiencies hanging over from the Arsene Wenger era. And yes, there are tactical problems that need to be ironed out, particularly along the backline and in the midfield. But the mentality of the dressing room, however you want to interpret that phrase, is Emery’s greatest challenge.

And the mentality of the squad stems from the culture, which is largely set by the manager. Wenger was an innately and unwaveringly positive individual. He managed in a manner freed and inspired his players. When things were going well, the football was flowing and the wins were easy, this style was ideal. He simply let his players have fun.

But when the going got tough and leadership, resilience and sometimes criticism was required, the squad would suddenly go very quiet. It is not a coincidence that the least Wengerian player, Sokratis, was the one trying to gee up a response from the team after each of Wolves’ three first-half goals on Wednesday. He does not stem from the same culture.

Emery is trying to change a culture, not just a team. The defeats to Palace and Wolves prove as much. But it takes time to see the effects.