Arsenal transfers preparing for life after Mikel Arteta

If Mikel Arteta is Sacked Then the Arsenal Squad is Prepared

What the club is attempting to build is designed to be led by the manager. Of course. These are players he is being entrusted with, backed financially for and wanting to acquire to sculpt his version of Arsenal Football Club.

Should his methods continue to take him closer to the edge of the plank, then at least whoever comes in to replace him is being left with a squad destined for future success. Or at least better placed for it.

The squad now is, as hard as it is to believe at present, littered with talent that will be much improved than it is now in a few years’ time. Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe are two players who demonstrate weekly progress, while around them are other stars who will be in the starting lineup for the seasons beyond.

If Arteta is shown the exit door then the next man who comes in has the framework in place to at least begin the job in better circumstances than his predecessor. Ben White and Albert Sambi Lokonga will be Premier League regulars, Nuno Tavares is at a great age and can be either sold or worked with, while Kieran Tierney and Gabriel are other options in the squad who will be mainstays whether or not the current manager is leading them.

While morale is down scraping the bottom of the seabed at the state of the current team, as well as the issues selling and buying this summer, there is some solace to take from the recruitment that has been made and the new contracts being dished out catering to future seasons.

Arsenal will improve as a result of internal refinement and experience, whether or not Arteta is at the helm. Ideally, he turns out to be a roaring success and these become his players. Should he not, however, and the window of opportunity to prove so narrows, then the squad in place isn’t entirely tied to his presence.

At present the narrative edges closer to that end.