Following Arsenal’s defeat to Philadelphia’s Liverpool in the final match of last summer’s preseason tour, manager Mikel Arteta sat at a small table sharing a late meal with assistant Albert Stubberg and captain Martin Ødegaard. Meanwhile, the rest of the team occupied the dining area at Lincoln Financial Field, with some players preparing for security and passport checks to streamline their airport exit before grabbing food or heading back to London. Mohamed Salah scored in Liverpool’s 2-1 win, and Arteta lamented a missed opportunity, emphasizing that such chances must be converted into goals.
Despite the loss, Arteta maintained a relaxed demeanor at dinner. He and Ødegaard exchanged light-hearted jokes before wrapping up their meal and exiting. There were no visible concerns about Liverpool’s form as Arsenal geared up for the 2023-24 season, where they had already set a club record with 91 goals and 89 points in the Premier League. About a month ago, Arteta expressed to ESPN that statistics indicated Arsenal should contend for the title.
Arsenal initially opted against pursuing another striker after Benjamin Sesko committed to a new deal with RB Leipzig, choosing instead to evaluate their options later in the season, confident that minor adjustments could lead to their first title since 2004. Fast forward to January, when the club’s faith in their existing squad prevented them from meeting the £60 million asking price for Ollie Watkins. Reports indicate that Arsenal’s bid of £40 million was turned down, and this decision was viewed as one that might have cost them the Premier League title given their competitive struggles.
Ultimately, Arsenal finished second for the third consecutive season and reached the Champions League semi-finals for the first time since 2009, taking a step forward in Europe while facing setbacks domestically. This is a narrative of their ups and downs during this period.
Young Talent and Transfer Strategy
Arteta made every effort to optimize the squad in his quest for the slight edge needed to clinch the Premier League title. The preseason kicked off in early July for players not participating in Euro 2024 or Copa America, where they trained in Marbella, Spain alongside their families to enhance team cohesion and fitness.
As the season progressed, training sessions ramped up in intensity, although Arteta maintained his structured approach to weekly routines, allowing less downtime for players. During their opening match against Wolverhampton Wanderers on August 17, Arteta had seven analysts monitoring from the Emirates Stadium gantry.
Richard Garlic has been appointed managing director of the club, succeeding Vinai Venkatesham, who will exit as CEO at the end of the 2023-24 season. Garlic was offered the opportunity to transfer to the director’s box following his position change, but sources indicate he chose to retain his current seat due to superstition.
Internally, Arsenal plans to enhance efforts in their academy, investing more resources to attract young talent. Sources have stated that Arteta was urged to develop a clearer pathway for academy players, with Ethan Nwaneri and Miles Lewis Skelly gradually integrated into the first team. Although there wasn’t a siege mentality, Arteta sought to control the narrative surrounding the team.
Arteta, while close to the players, has been notably tight-lipped regarding team updates, particularly on Ødegaard’s ankle injury sustained during international duty in September. Although he publicly claimed uncertainty about the injury’s severity, early scans indicated a less severe issue than initially feared, with Arteta only stating the midfielder would be absent for “a while,” but returning to action after seven weeks.
Before facing Liverpool at home in late October, Arsenal opted to train at the Emirates Stadium instead of their usual location to maintain a low profile, particularly as they awaited the recoveries of Julientimber and Bukayo Saka. However, following the unexpected resignation of sporting director Edu in November, the club experienced a significant shake-up just before meeting with owner Kroenke Sports Enterprises to discuss transfer strategies.
Edu’s resignation sparked turmoil within the club’s leadership, leading to a three-month search for a successor. Reports indicate that the club interviewed seven candidates, with Andrea Berta’s desire to move to England, specifically to Arsenal, swaying the decision due to his extensive contacts and experience from twelve years at Atletico Madrid.
The question emerging for the Gunners was how to structure their hierarchy, considering both Edu and Arteta reported directly to Venkatesham. There were concerns about the influence Arteta held and the dynamics of Berta’s relationship with Arteta would be pivotal moving forward.
1:06
ARTETA: Arsenal needs to sharpen in the summer transfer window
Mikel Arteta asserts that the board will support Arsenal’s plans for the upcoming summer transfer period.
Arteta commended the atmosphere generated at rival venues—specifically Anfield and St James’ Park—and tasked his staff with enhancing the experience at the Emirates Stadium. The hype videos ahead of big matches became a staple, and in November, the club explored additional methods to strengthen connections between supporters and the team. For instance, during a home match against Nottingham Forest on November 23, stadium announcer Peter Mjuji changed the approach to only announce the goal scorer’s first name to encourage fan engagement.
By Christmas Day, Arsenal held the third position in the league, trailing Liverpool by six points, yet morale remained high. They hosted a holiday dinner before their next match on December 23, with humorous remarks about Arteta’s penchant for Mallorca-style training. This festive spirit was temporarily dimmed when Saka required hamstring surgery just before Christmas, undergoing the procedure on Christmas Eve.
Despite the injury challenges, Arsenal entered the January transfer window with no plans for significant acquisitions, having previously decided during a meeting in November to wait until the summer for any major changes unless pressing needs arose.
That urgency soon arrived as Gabriel Jesus sustained a knee ligament injury, leading to surgery on January 14. This was a considerable blow, as Jesus had begun to impress Arteta in preseason and was expected to be a key contributor. Consequently, Arteta’s outlook shifted as he openly discussed the necessity for transfers, but options like Sesko, Gyökeres, or Isak remained out of reach.
Only when Aston Villa expressed concerns about regulatory compliance did Arsenal find a potential opportunity. Watkins, a lifelong Arsenal fan, became available for £60 million. Despite an initial offer of £40 million from Arsenal being turned down, the Gunners had to reassess as Villa raised their asking price significantly, ultimately withdrawing from negotiations.
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ARTETA: Not achieving what you want in the Premier League
Arsenal’s manager discusses their objectives ahead of Bournemouth’s visit in the Premier League.
High Scoring in the Champions League
The February break in Dubai provided Arsenal with a chance to recharge and regroup. This included personalized coffee on the first day and a surprise visit from former player Mohamed Elneny, who joined the squad during his own offseason. However, this uplifting mood was shattered when Kai Havertz suffered a season-ending hamstring injury during training, shocking both fans and staff, as he was expected to impact the remainder of the season.
The combination of results did not favor Arsenal. After Berta joined the club in March, he brought gifts of silk ties for his executives, introducing a touch of superstition. For match days, Garlic notably wore Berta’s tie during a significant quarter-final win against Real Madrid.
As Arsenal faced Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League semi-finals, they were unable to summon the momentum necessary to challenge for both their domestic and European ambitions. The team managed only nine wins in their last 20 matches, marking the first season since the 1923-24 campaign where no player scored more than ten league goals. Consequently, key players like Ødegaard, Saka, and Ben White struggled with injuries, affecting their overall performance and cohesion on the field.
Multiple areas called for improvement, especially in midfield, where the addition of Martín Zubimendi has strengthened the squad. Back-up goalkeeper and midfield depth are also priorities as offseason strategies develop.
In the context of historical patterns, there is optimism as clubs often find success following a season of challenges, hinting at a positive turnaround for Arsenal in the future.
Fan Take: The events surrounding Arsenal’s season underscore the complex balance between risk and opportunity in soccer. Fans should watch closely as the club navigates its challenges, as the decisions made now could significantly reshape not just their future but the landscape of the Premier League itself.
