The fans of Arsenal Football Club did not enjoy a remarkable season, and all they have to blame is the squad and previous manager
Arsenal had a season they would want to forget as soon as they can. They sit ninth on the Premier League table with just 40 points after 28 games. They have managed to win only nine games and have drawn 13 others. The Gunners were knocked out of Europa League Round of 32 by Greek side Olympiakos. The only competition they are in contention now is the FA Cup.
A lot of this boils down to poor management by the previous man in charge Unai Emery. It was always going to be difficult for Emery to replace the professor Arsene Wenger.
However, the Spaniard had his own merit. He made Sevilla the most dominant team in the Europa League. Under his tutelage, the Andalusians won the second-tier European trophy three consecutive times. He was also successful at Paris Saint-Germain. In France, he won the league once, and the national cup and league cup twice. However, his time in Paris would be remembered for blowing up a 4-0 first-leg lead against Barcelona in Champions League ROund of 16 to lose it 6-1.
Emery at Arsenal
Thus, Emery was not a bad choice He just too much pressure. And the pressure weighed him down. He lost his first competitive game in charge against Manchester City. His second game was against Chelsea, which also ended in loss.
However, he turned the form of his team and they won the next game against West Ham United. After this game, Arsenal won 11 games in a row, their best run of form since 2007. Following this, they remained undefeated for 11 more games, extending their undefeated run to 22 games. Arsenal finished the season at the fifth spot, one place above their last season’s finish.
Emery guided Arsenal to a Europa League final. The fans expected him to win considering his previous record in the competition. But he returned from Baku with the silver medal as Chelsea triumphed over them 4-1.
The current season started the problems for Arsenal. The transfers were Nicolas Pepe, William Saliba, David Luiz, and Kieren Tierney. Saliba went out on loan immediately. However, others have massively underperformed. After a series of poor results and a winless run of seven games, Arsenal sacked Emery on 29th November 2019.
The failure of transfers and a general lack of success under Emery left a poor taste in the mouth of Arsenal fans. The team seemed to slowly regain its form under Mikel Arteta but the coronavirus pandemic led to the suspension of the Premier League, leading to even more despair.
What are the fans up to?
With no football in action, the Arsenal fans have no other thing to discuss regarding football but the upcoming transfer window. Although it is not clear when the window will open, that does not stop speculations.
William Saliba will surely return from loan and find a spot in the team under Arteta. To provide him with a partner at the heart of the defence, Arsenal wants Dayot Upamecano from RB Leipzig. But there might a be cheaper alternative back home. That’s what the Gooners believe.
One Arsenal fan on Twitter suggested Bournemouth’s Nathan Ake as a potential alternative to Dayot Upamecano, who is reportedly on the Gunners’ hit list for the summer.
Back in February, Football Insider linked Ake with a move to Tottenham, insinuating the centre-back could cost around £40m, but it seems these Arsenal fans are keen to see Arteta beat their rivals to the 25-year-old’s signature.
Ake has made 24 appearances for Bournemouth this season so far. He makes 0.9 tackles and 1.3 interceptions per ninety. He also commits very fewer fouls- 0.3.
