Arsenal now face a crucial question as they prepare for the upcoming campaign under Mikel Arteta: where should their focus lie to make the leap from contenders to champions? We spoke with Jack Abela from LondonWorld to get his take on Arsenal’s transfer priorities, the positions most in need of reinforcements, and whether Arteta’s squad can finally close the gap and secure the Premier League crown this season.
00:00After another season marked by close calls but driven by clear ambition,
00:07Arsenal face a crucial question as they prepare for the upcoming campaign under Mikel Arteta.
00:14Where should their focus lie to make the leap from contenders to champions?
00:18The Gunners have carved out a distinctive style, high energy, aggressive and powered by a talented youthful core.
00:25The key challenges remain in turning that potential into silverware.
00:30Squad depth and player fitness remain significant concerns.
00:35Last season's title bid faltered largely due to injuries to key players at critical times,
00:40exposing a lack of reliable cover when it was needed most.
00:44Arsenal must find a way to strengthen their squad to sustain pressure across all competitions,
00:50especially the Premier League and Champions League, while avoiding fatigue and burnout.
00:54We caught up with Jacobello from London World to get his take on Arsenal's transfer priorities,
01:01the positions most in need of reinforcements,
01:04and whether Arteta's squad can finally close the gap and secure the Premier League crown.
01:09Yeah, I mean, if you look at the title race throughout the season,
01:15obviously now the race for Champions League, the race for Europe is incredibly tight.
01:19But in terms of the top two, you have to look back on this season and think it was a massive opportunity.
01:26You had Manchester City who just won four titles on the bounce and they suddenly dropped off.
01:30They've had a terrible season by their standards.
01:32No one else was really challenging. Yes, Liverpool have done a great job.
01:37But Arsenal, as you say, they won 28 games last campaign, only 18 in 36 games this season.
01:43That's just not enough. And you feel that they did have that same form last season.
01:47They'd have probably stormed to the title.
01:49Yeah, I mean, Arsenal finished on 89 points last year.
01:52I think Liverpool can get a maximum of 89 points if they win their last two games.
01:57Arteta's talked about that and about how timing is crucial.
02:01I think Arsenal, over the last three seasons, have the second most points.
02:05Liverpool have the third.
02:07And, you know, Liverpool have won the title this year and Arsenal, you know, have ended up with none.
02:13And I don't think Arsenal's squad is big enough.
02:17You know, you look at the bench, some of the games.
02:20I mean, the options that they bring on you.
02:22He's looking at 17-year-old Ethan Neri or Raheem Sterling, who just has done nothing this season.
02:29The squad isn't big enough.
02:30And then there's also the mental fatigue.
02:32You know, how much does it take out of you to compete for the league two years in a row and come up short?
02:39You know, that physical and mental fatigue, I think, this season has really come to fruition.
02:44And they have looked leggy, you know, physically and mentally, as I say.
02:51And whether they just need a break this summer, you know, there's no international tournament.
02:56They're not in the Club World Cup.
02:58I think they need a real break.
02:59I think they need a real strong summer.
03:01They need to sign a centre-forward.
03:03And hopefully they can come back.
03:06Because the narrative in the media now as well, which is only going to continue, is how long can Arsenal go without a trophy before Mikel Arteta is deemed a failed manager?
03:18I don't think that's a strong sense within the Arsenal fan base, to be honest.
03:23But that narrative will grow.
03:25And, you know, football, we're at an elite level with Arsenal.
03:29And, you know, those questions should be asked at some point.
03:32So it will be interesting to see how it develops for sure.
03:36But, yeah, as you say, if Arsenal had the form they had last season, yeah, they'd definitely be with a shout.
03:43But I think that mental and physical fatigue has just caught up within this campaign.
03:46Arsenal fans are really looking and craving that bigger trophy, like the Premier League and the Champions League.
03:53And potentially if Arsenal won just an FA Cup this season or a Carabao Cup, of course they'd be happy.
03:59But I still get the sense maybe they would think that that's not enough.
04:02But what it would do would be give this kind of squad affirmation and confirmation that they can win things.
04:11And I think that's what's really important is for this squad right now.
04:15Because, truthfully, you know, Arteta's FA Cup that he won, it wasn't his squad.
04:19There were no players that are in this current squad.
04:22So this squad needs to win a trophy, whether that's a domestic cup.
04:27They need to win something so that they can, you know, believe in themselves and go that extra mile
04:34and take home the big prizes like the Premier League or the Champions League next season.
04:40But definitely something needs to give for sure.
