Arsenal’s Baku humiliation exposes cracks in structure and need for a clear-out
Without the riches of the Champions League, club must adjust transfer plans, writes Sam Dean
Where next for Arsenal, a side who have only shuffled forward this campaign when they needed to take significant strides? The
post-season arrives with uncertainty hovering over the club and so many of their players, the mood darkened considerably by the humiliating defeat by Chelsea in the Europa League final.
This first season of the postarsene Wenger era has often been referred to as “transitional” by the executives at the top of the club, and there is certainly merit to the argument that coming so close to qualifying for the Champions League, in both the Premier League and Europa League, is a sign of progress under Unai Emery.
As the dust settles on their 4-1 battering in Baku, though, the overriding feeling is one of wasted opportunity and considerable loss.
Arsenal finished the season only two points behind third place, remember, and managed to lose at home to Crystal Palace in April.
This was the season when Arsenal lost Ivan Gazidis, the chief executive who was only part-way through a restructure. They then lost Sven Mislintat, the head of recruitment, around whom so much of their future strategy was built. Aaron Ramsey has been lost, too, thanks to mismanagement of the highest order. As for the supporters, many will need years to recover from the emotional loss of being forced to sell their shares to Stan Kroenke in the autumn. His son Josh was in Baku, but the absence of Stan will not sit well with those Arsenal fans who endured the logistical and financial nightmare of reaching Azerbaijan.
The collapse against Chelsea made clear what has been known for a while: a clear-out of players is needed this summer. Emery is keen to focus on youth, while the academy is a central part of Arsenal’s new structure.
The financial realities of their current situation means they must focus on buying young talent rather than ready-made stars.
They could do with more players like Lucas Torreira, a 23-year-old who broke down in tears when he left the pitch against Chelsea. And there is little doubt that they could do with fewer players like Mesut Ozil, who was anonymous again in Baku. The sight of Arsenal’s No10 being replaced by Joe Willock, the 19-year-old No59, was indicative of the direction Arsenal will be taking as they continue to stare from afar at the riches of the Champions League.
“We had a good season, if you take off the last five league games,” said Granit Xhaka. “We had a second chance to come back and go to the Champions League, but if you don’t take your chances, you will stay in the Europa League.”
Perhaps the most concerning aspect of it all is that the gap may only grow bigger between Arsenal and their rivals. With each year out of the Champions League, the financial playing field becomes less and less even. Shrewd use of the transfer market will be key.
The absence of a head of recruitment does not help in that regard, and Arsenal are still waiting to finalise the appointment of a technical director. The situation certainly feels “transitional” right now and the cracks in the club are there for all to see. Victory over Chelsea would have smoothed over those issues. Defeat brings worry, doubt and a feeling of pain that will get much worse if Tottenham win the Champions League tomorrow.