3) Tangible improvement
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It’s hard for fans to take perspective amidst a season, with the press at full tilt and opinions being voiced all around. However, it ignores that Arsenal have made tangible steps forward in the last three seasons. Beginning with the signing of Mesut Ozil, Arsenal flexed their financial muscles to sign bonafide stars like Alexis Sanchez and win two FA Cups.
This season undoubtedly represents a step back, although given the ‘crazy’ nature of this year, what with Leicester City likely to win the league, it will be difficult to draw lasting conclusions from the year. Additionally, it’s been a year for managerial turmoil amongst England’s bigger clubs, with none of Liverpool, Manchester City and Chelsea starting 2016/17 with the same manager in 2015/16, with Manchester United also likely to dispense with Louis van Gaal’s services.
Arsenal have finished 4th, 3rd and look likely to finish 3rd yet again this season, with Leicester projected to earn 82 points, while Arsenal will likely earn 70 points, based on points per game so far. It’s the same gap to the top team (12 points) as last season (75 to 87). It’s this stasis that is earning Wenger the ire of Arsenal’s fanbase, with many becoming disillusioned with Wenger’s familiar failings.
It’s rather surprising how quickly Arsenal fans have forgotten just how dire they were. Arsene Wenger was scraping into 4th for many a year with players such as Denilson being mainstays, and losing to sides like Wigan Athletic in cup finals, all amidst the need to sell a vital star of the squad every season.
Arsenal have the financial power to retain their stars now, thanks to Wenger’s parsimony, while there has been a title challenge in the last two years. They have admittedly gone awry, but it represents a change from the recent history when finishing in the Champions League spots was a fantastic achievement for the club.
This ought to have been the final step into league winners this year, but the EPL is tough and unpredictable. However, the core of a league winning squad is there, and with players such as N’golo Kante and Zlatan Ibrahimovic being available in the summer, it’s imperative to note that Arsenal don’t throw the baby out with the bath-water.
The Gunners are on an upward trend.
