Pain in the Arsenal
Fansided

Arsenal: 3 talking points from Brighton win

By Henry Payne

Arsenal's French-born Ivorian midfielder Nicolas Pepe (R) celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Brighton and Hove Albion at the Emirates Stadium in London on May 23, 2021. - - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Alastair Grant / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by ALASTAIR GRANT/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal's French-born Ivorian midfielder Nicolas Pepe (R) celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Brighton and Hove Albion at the Emirates Stadium in London on May 23, 2021. - - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Alastair Grant / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by ALASTAIR GRANT/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /
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LONDON, ENGLAND – MAY 23: Nicolas Pepe of Arsenal celebrates after scoring their team’s second goal with Martin Oedegaard and Granit Xhaka during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Brighton & Hove Albion at Emirates Stadium on May 23, 2021 in London, England. A limited number of fans will be allowed into Premier League stadiums as Coronavirus restrictions begin to ease in the UK. (Photo by Alastair Grant – Pool/Getty Images).
LONDON, ENGLAND – MAY 23: Nicolas Pepe of Arsenal celebrates after scoring their team’s second goal with Martin Oedegaard and Granit Xhaka during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Brighton & Hove Albion at Emirates Stadium on May 23, 2021 in London, England. A limited number of fans will be allowed into Premier League stadiums as Coronavirus restrictions begin to ease in the UK. (Photo by Alastair Grant – Pool/Getty Images). /

Will Arsenal Rise Again?

Let’s make things very clear, eighth is not good enough. Yes, Arsenal were good in the second half of the season. They now need to build on that.

The club has a young and exciting nucleus: Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe, Kieran Tierney, and Gabriel Martinelli are just a few players who give fans hope, and Arteta seems prepared to build around them.

To take the next step, they must extend Martin Ødegaard’s stay, sign a couple of central midfielders, and reinforce both full-back spots. Several players need to be shown the door, and while the market will be challenging, Edu showed in January that he can get deadwood out the door.

If Arsenal’s struggles continue next season, expect a lot more fan demonstrations.

dark. Next. PLAYER RATINGS VS BRIGHTON

With the 2020/21 season mercifully in the books, Arsenal can turn their attention to the summer window.

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