Mikel Arteta has done a commendable job rebuilding Arsenal into a serious Premier League force. From mid-table mediocrity to consistent title challengers, the progress is undeniable. But now, with another trophyless season behind them, the excuses have run out. Arsenal’s failure to lift silverware this season falls squarely on Arteta’s shoulders — and it’s time to ask the hard questions.
No Proven Striker — A Fatal Misjudgment
Arteta sold Eddie Nketiah, which many fans supported, but instead of investing in a proven goalscorer, he doubled down on the experiment of playing Kai Havertz up front. While Havertz brought energy, creativity, and intelligent movement, he is not the lethal finisher Arsenal desperately needed.
In a league where tight games are decided by clinical strikers, relying on a makeshift forward — rather than signing someone tried and tested — was a costly error. Arsenal created chances but lacked the cutting edge in key moments. A proven 20+ goal striker could’ve been the difference between finishing second and being crowned champions.
Giant Killers, but Slipping Against Small Teams
Ironically, Arsenal were superb against the top teams this season. They held their own or outplayed Manchester City, Liverpool, and Spurs — showing tactical discipline, grit, and fearlessness. It’s against the so-called smaller teams where the season truly unraveled.
Dropped points against struggling sides — draws or shock defeats that should’ve been routine wins — are what cost Arsenal the title. These are the games where champions grind out results, and Arsenal failed to do so consistently. Whether it was complacency, lack of sharpness, or tactical overthinking, it proved costly.
Lack of Rotation, Burnout in the Run-In
Arteta’s reluctance to rotate his squad remains a glaring weakness. Week after week, Bukayo Saka, Martin Ødegaard, and Declan Rice were asked to play heavy minutes. By the final stretch of the season, many of them looked physically and mentally drained. Meanwhile, capable squad players were left underutilized.
Championship-winning managers know when to rest and when to trust the depth. Arteta, however, chose to stick with the same core — a decision that backfired as fatigue set in at the worst possible time.
Conclusion: No More Learning Curves
Arteta has brought Arsenal a long way. But football is a results business, and the Premier League doesn’t hand out medals for “progress.” With the backing he’s received, the time for learning curves is over. Arsenal must now demand delivery — trophies, not just top-four finishes or moral victories.
This season’s collapse wasn’t about a lack of talent. It was about avoidable decisions — not signing a striker, poor squad rotation, and dropping points where they shouldn’t have. Arteta must evolve quickly or risk becoming the manager who almost brought Arsenal glory — but never quite got them there.
