Let’s face it, the season is over for Arsenal now. Any hope for a fourth-place finish looks incredibly difficult now, given their current form and confidence going into games, and although the sparring Manchester brothers are trying their best to bottle things up right at the last moment, Arsenal aren’t taking that bait.
The only consolation that the Gunners could give themselves would probably be that their worst season in the past two decades has been much better than the likes of Chelsea, Manchester United and Liverpool. However, given the stature of the club, we expect them to bounce back instantly next season and challenge for the title because things cannot go any worse for them; we hope.
Here are the 3 things Arsenal could do to challenge for the title next year-
Bring competition to the side
Arsenal players have often been criticised for lacking that urgency and commitment needed to win big games. While tactics and technique is an essential part of any match, the extra motivation makes all the difference. And Arsene Wenger’s men have lacked it throughout the season.
Most games that Arsenal have lost have been due to the players losing most 50-50 battles. The only way to improve it is by bringing competition to the side. Players like Mesut Ozil, Hector Bellerin, Aaron Ramsey and Theo Walcott have been underperforming for months now with no fear of being replaced. Complacency could be a huge flaw with terrible consequences.
Change at the top level
A rare change that is needed after a side underperforms in a season, this is by far the most important thing the club will have to do to bring a real change to the side. The pair of Ivan Gazidis and Stan Kroenke has been bigger culprits than Arsene Wenger in Arsenal’s downfall and like players too, they have no one to question their commitment towards the club.
Wenger had admitted recently that the club’s scouting staffs have to be more rapid in closing negotiations with players. Robert Pires has expressed his desire to take the role of the club’s Sporting Director and it is time Arsenal consider options in that position.
Change in management
We kept this one as the last option, mainly because it is the most unlikely to happen. Despite the uproar in and around the stadium asking the club to throw out the manager, there is also a general air of hopeless conviction that Wenger would sign the two-year contract at the end of the season.
While his ability is unquestioned, it is also an excruciating truth that he has nothing new to give to the club. Same thing happened with Jose Mourinho at Chelsea last season as the Blues faced the slump after a brilliant title winning season. Chelsea had to bring in someone with a fresh approach and so does Arsenal.
