Red Dawn

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 5^th and 6^th, 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 6^th place finishes isn’t going to cut it.