Premier League giants Arsenal have gradually been transformed into the laughing stock of the entire European footballing scene, much to the despair of their mammoth worldwide fanbase. The Gunners, despite starting the season in a rather positive manner, have completely crumbled under the pressure of the last many months. Not only has the football they’ve produced been quite bad, but their league position is certain to be a cause for concern too.
With the holiday period now upon us, and 2021 beckoning as well, Mikel Arteta will need his team to step up to the plate and turn a corner soon, as they currently find themselves at 15th place, with a relegation fight actually on the horizon.
Whether or not Arsenal will be able to climb their way back up the table in the weeks to come remains to be seen, but if their recent form is anything to go by, that’s going to be a challenge. The London club have won just 2 games in the league since the start of October, while their latest win in the competition was actually on the 1st of November. Despite securing progress in the Europa League as group winners, question marks over how long they can sustain in the competition have remained.
For all the poor football that Mikel Arteta’s side have produced this season, it must be conceded that their biggest issue is the lack of goals. Yes, their defensive fragility and the frustrating lack of creativity in midfield have both been problems, but their inability to put the ball in the back of the net has been the root cause for all the troubles. The likes of Pierre Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette have struggled for goals, with summer signing Willian yet to hit full flow as well. Identifying three Arsenal regulars that Mikel Arteta needs to replace was never going to be an easy task, but given their current predicament, it’s one that perhaps needs to be done.
Three Arsenal Regulars That Mikel Arteta Needs To Replace:
Rob Holding
The Englishman has been a part of the Gunners’ roster for the longest time now, but it’s safe to say that he hasn’t lived up to the hype that surrounded him when he was younger. The lack of concentration he shows at the back has been a problem, while his defensive decision making has been dismal over the years as well. Despite the fact that he was recently handed the armband by Arteta, his performance didn’t come close to the expected levels, and keeping him in the roster is only going to make things worse.
Granit Xhaka
The Swiss international midfielder has proven in the past that he has got what it takes to perform at this level. However, with that said, it must also be taken into account that Xhaka is a ticking time-bomb. He has the capability to singlehandedly throw matches away, while his feisty temper isn’t suited to the gritty and aggressive nature of the Premier League either. There hasn’t been a single season since his arrival where he has been out of the news, while his role in the team is yet to be defined after all these years as well. Selling him while he’s still worth something should be a priority.
Willian
The Brazilian speedster arrived at Arsenal from London rivals Chelsea on a free transfer. Although the Gunners fans were eager to see what the former Premier League winner would add to the team, the Chelsea fans were seen rejoicing. Willian has proved to be among the biggest transfer flops of the season so far, as he’s yet to contribute in any manner after the two assists on the opening weekend of the season. His lack of penetration in the final third, and his rising age, both need to be taken into consideration. Selling him would be the best bet, as at 32, his price probably isn’t going to get any higher.
