Has Unai Emery made Arsenal title challengers?

On the 23rd May 2018, Arsenal appointed 46 year old Spaniard Unai Emery, as their new head coach after Wenger departed at the end of season following 22 years at the club. He arrived after a two year spell at Paris Saint-Germain F.C where he won a domestic treble. Emery won 87 of his 113 matches in charge at the club.

However, his contract was not extended and was replaced by Thomas Tuchel. Emery told Arsenal's official website: "I am thrilled to be joining one of the great clubs in the game". Before the Spaniard was announced, former Arsenal midfielder Mikel Arteta, was in the front run, but withdrew due to concerns over the extent of the role he would have in the club's transfer policy.

Many people thought that Arsenal would take a long time to adapt to Emery style of play, but that wasn't the case. After two difficult games against Manchester City & Chelsea, Arsenal went on an 11 game winning streak scoring some tremendous goals.

Mesut Ozil celebrates with Aubameyang scoring a potential goal of the season

A 3-1 triumph against Leicester at the Emirates fueled belief of a championship push, telling a tale that Arsenal are back to their best.

The adaptation under Unai Emery was never going to be easy, but has been superb in some sense. Within the first half, Arsenal looked thin-skinned where they were fortunate to walk into half time level pegging.

The away side had numerous chances to finish off the game in the early stages, but didn't take any of the opportunities that were fallen to them. However, the beautiful, free flowing football was back in the second half, where Mesut Ozil and fellow team mates played Leicester off the park.

But the real question is, are Arsenal title contenders? With the dazzling football being played, and with the crowd united once again, the club are missing the last piece of the puzzle. With big signings made in Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang & Alexandre Lacazette, they have two world class finishers that can fire them to potential champions.

Throughout the past seasons, the Gunners have lacked a real tough tackler in defensive midfield. However, this season it looks like they have found one in Lucas Torreira. The North London club do have creative players, such as Mesut Ozil, Aaron Ramsey & Henrikh Mkhitaryan, that match their rivals midfield.

Lacazette & Co celebrate

winning

goal

The attack is there, but Arsenal lack the solidarity of defenders compared to their rivals. Complaints were made towards Arsene Wenger about not having world class defenders who can help them win a league tittle.

Arsenal did have a potential world class centre back in Laurent Koscienly, but the Frenchman has been hampered with injuries. Their rivals all carry better defenders, with Manchester City having Vincent Kompany, Tottenhams Toby Alderweireld & Liverpool recently signing Virgil Van Dijk, who all out class Arsenal defense.

In that case, Arsenal defense remains a huge issue, which is the only thing that are holding them back from winning the league.You could see this against Leicester where they were sorely tested in the first half.

Emery lacks the quality of defenders where they could be exposed against Liverpool, who visit the Emirates on Saturday. Liverpool, who are unbeaten in the league sit second level on points with Manchester City.

Arsenal record against the top 6 has been dreadful, showing that they aren't ready to challenge for the tittle. If Arsenal want to improve from last season, they must avoid losses, and win more against their tittle rivals. With Liverpool visit this weekend, it will be a good test of how far this team has come under Emery, and how far they still have to go.