Pain in the Arsenal
Fansided

Why Arsenal missing out on top four isn’t the end of the world

By Mitch Peotter

Arsenal's Spanish manager Mikel Arteta reacts during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Brighton and Hove Albion at the Emirates Stadium in London on April 9, 2022. - - 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 JUSTIN TALLIS / 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 JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal's Spanish manager Mikel Arteta reacts during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Brighton and Hove Albion at the Emirates Stadium in London on April 9, 2022. - - 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 JUSTIN TALLIS / 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 JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images) /
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Arsenal, Laca
Arsenal players react after conceding a second goal during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Brighton and Hove Albion. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images) /

Arsenal Couldn’t Have Done Much in January

The biggest name that changed clubs at the striker position in the last window was obviously Dusan Vlahovic who Arsenal were heavily linked with.

After failing to win the Serbian striker’s signature there were very clearly no other players available with the quality that Arsenal wanted at the position. A panic buy that doesn’t work out would hurt Arsenal way more long-term than riding with what they had. It is very easy to look at Lacazette’s form since January and say that we should have bought someone, but the question must be asked, who would we have signed?

OK, let’s leave this very dark, hypothetical world I have made for us all and come back to the present. Arsenal has lost two straight and has three key players out for extended periods, where do we go from here?

Tactically speaking, Arteta needs to simplify by tweaking back the 4-2-3-1 seen during 2021 with the full-backs playing high and wide, while a double pivot of Xhaka and Lokonga will play to the strengths of the players available.

Regarding the striker position, many would love to see Smith Rowe or Martinelli lead the line for the Gunners. However, I just don’t think Arteta makes that kind of switch at such a pivotal time in the season. I do think a change needs to be made at the position – Nketiah has been bright in his  -cameos the last two matches – and I do not think that he would perform worse than Lacazette has in those games.

Arsenal is still very much in the running for the top four and to get it this season would be a momentous achievement for this young squad. It is far from impossible, and we have seen how good this team has been. The players need to step up, especially the ones filling in for injuries. Nuno and Sambi were signed as young depth for Tierney and Partey and it’s time for them to try to fill in their shoes.

This one is on you, Mikel. dark. Next

In the scenario that the Gunners don’t manage to get the top four, the sky will not fall down. Arsenal’s project is still very much on track with a Europa League qualification which could be a very good experience to have for such a young squad. Champions League would be incredible, and all Arsenal fans want to hear that theme song play at the Emirates next season, but don’t undercut what this team has done this season if they come up short.

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