Red Dawn
So there is life post Wenger after all. The slick and smooth
transition from Arsene Wenger to Unai Emery was completed this week and the
majority of Arsenal fans have a renewed optimism. Having previously been
derided for ineptitude and dithering, the board have enabled a new era at
Arsenal. The announcement of Emery was seen as a random scatter gun appointment
by some pundits, but perhaps they didn’t see what recruitment process happened
behind the scenes. The frontrunner Arteta appeared on the verge of being announced until Emery emerged on Monday
evening. The Spanish PSG manager had met with the hierarchy on several
occasions and was being tracked for a long time according to Ivan Gazidis so
the initial perceptions of a spontaneous decision have faded.
Expectations
So Arsenal fans have optimism, but of course results will
damper or fire this. Wenger has left Arsenal in a mediocre position, finishing
5th and 6th, so expectations are measured. Emery has made
strong statements so far that he will maintain Wenger’s attacking style: “I’d
prefer to win 5-4 than 1-0.” There is a realism giving the financial clout of
Manchester clubs but as Klopp at Liverpool has shown, good coaching can
overcome financial disadvantages.
Personnel
This is the biggest question facing the club. The biggest
criticism of Wenger’s regime was how certain players appeared to either lack effort
or have regressed. How Emery will motivate Mesut Ozil is the going to be
fascinating and also critical to his success. Ozil is still the team’s
outstanding talent but the player himself and manager need to work out what is
wrong with him and why he has drifted so much lately. Other main players like
Ramsey, Aubamayang and Lacazette did appear motivated under Wenger so can
achieve a lot under the right coaching and leadership. The future of Jack
Wilshere is unclear. Having been snubbed by England for the World Cup, he will
need a vote of confidence to stay and is likely to be considering his options
at other clubs.
Defence
The second most important issue facing Emery. There is an
argument for wholesale rebuilding of the defence. But with different coaching,
the defence might improve with players being sold. Wenger’s ability as a
defensive coach was a major weakness and Steve Bould seemed to have little
impact in his time as his assistant. The two Spanish full backs Bellerin and
Monreal might respond to a fellow countryman better. With Koselney injured for
at least six months, it is likely that a new player will be signed. It is also
how the team plays defensively that’s important. The exposure to counter
attacks under Wenger was a team issue not just the defence. The team has been
crying out for a solid defence midfielder and whether Emery sticks with Xhaka will
be interesting.
The Board
The directors and primarily Stan Kroenke have been the
target of Arsenal fans complaints over the last few seasons. Wenger as the
front man took a lot of the blame for their failings. Emery won’t be able to
act in this fall guy role so the board are more exposed in their decision-making.
Gazidis has needed to step up and having pushed for a restructure, needs to
deliver. Gazidis was clear in his reasoning for choosing Emery but he needs to
back him with money for transfers and keep the expectations high- perpetual 6th
place finishes isn’t going to cut it.
