thebigbangtheo wrote:billie86 wrote:We have seen some improvements this season, there have been games where we look a good side, leicester, west ham, City at home, spurs etc and we have put a challenge in for top 4 up to a point.
We have cleared half of the wage bill and will probably clear more in the summer, this leaves us with the base that we have this season and huge potential for numerous signings in the summer.
I'm hopeful we can show some grit for the rest of this season and not just capitulate, if we can do that and then get 6+ signings in the summer as we did last year then next season will be interesting. However this plays out I firmly believe there is no hiding place for arteta next season, which is another positive because up to now there hasn't been much accountability, after another summer window and a top 6 finish this season there has to be more improvement especially if we spend big in the summer which I believe we will.
Part of me believes this season was a write off from the boards point of view and that's why edu said there were no specific objectives, I think the main concern was to clear the dead wood, reduce the wage bill and overhaul the squad, arteta will still be here next season whether he finishes 4th or 8th, at some point however what he's doing will have to produce results.
Easily one of the most sensible posts and overviews on the forum I've come across. Excellent, I doff my cap to you sir (apologies if my gender assumption is incorrect).
Agreed.
The club pretty much stated directly that we were embarking on a rebuild with younger players and were certainly not targeting top 4 as a minimum assessment in terms of the manager or the new squad.
Arsenal fans have been generally happy this year and can see - as well as understand - the approach.
Next year the pressure from the board will no doubt be higher as they will expect top4
This season has been a positive move in the right direction with an exciting young squad - which we will certainly build on in the summer.
Our levels have risen. We outplayed City and competed well with Liverpool in 2 games this year … outplaying them in the majority of one of those games.
I don’t think we are 6 players off though.
2 starters and we’re done for the first team.
There will need to be more back ups in key positions too.