The final international break of the regular season is here and for Arsenal, it’s a time to take stock of the campaign so far ahead of the final stretch.
While the Premier League campaign seems to be tailing off towards an unsatisfying conclusion for Mikel Arteta, there is still plenty left to fight for.
The Champions League quarter-finals are up ahead, with Arsenal taking on Real Madrid for a place in the final four.
Beyond that, there are changes behind-the-scenes ongoing, injury returns planned and transfers being explored.
So with plenty going on at Arsenal, TBR Football’s Graeme Bailey spoke to Arsenal Insider about the season so far and what is ahead for the Gunners.
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On the Premier League title race
- Arsenal look set to miss out on the Premier League title to Liverpool
Well, if you had offered them second – they would not have been over-the-moon but is about acceptable then if you told them that it was Liverpool rather than Manchester City beating them, then I think the club and fans would be a bit disappointed and I think that is how we see it.
Premier League wise, good but not great. In Europe they look good, I think they are set up well for European football and the next few weeks will tell us just how good.
On the problems Arsenal have faced
- Several factors such as injuries, red cards and scoring have been blamed for Arsenal’s struggles
Well Arsenal don’t think they have a goalscoring problem overall, they point to the fact they are one of the top scorers in England look what they did to PSV in Europe – nobody was better in the Champions League last 32 – but having the right goalscorers is perhaps the best way to sum it up. They know they need a number nine option, but they hope to solve that.
In terms of being unlucky, well yes but then again every football club in the world could and would give you an injury story if you asked them. As a club you have to plan for that.
On Myles Lewis-Skelly’s breakout Arsenal season
- Myles Lewis-Skelly has had a breakout season for Arsenal, rising to the first-team and the England setup
Unlike Ethan Nwaneri, I am told Arsenal were not 100% sure that Myles Lewis-Skelly would have this sort of impact especially this early – they always loved him as a player, so they are delighted with how things have gone.
I think his attitude has been great, he has a bit of a swagger to him more so than Nwaneri or even someone like Bukayo Saka – I really like him, but I think we see him do similar to Saka and eventually he becomes more of a midfielder.
On Ethan Nwaneri’s Arsenal campaign
- Ethan Nwaneri is another Arsenal academy star to have a breakout season in the senior side
Ethan Nwaneri is excellent, he has been one of those Paul Scholes-type players, if he didn’t make it then nobody would. He has the world at his feet and he could not be in a better place than Arsenal under Arteta to progress.
In terms of England, yeah I think he probably did but with Thomas Tuchel initially ignoring the likes of Gibbs-White and Branthwaite, I don’t think Nwaneri should be too concerned – he clearly thinks an older player is the way forward.
On Real Madrid clash in the Champions League quarter-finals
- Arsenal take on Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-finals next month
Manchester City and Atletico Madrid have come close to beating Real Madrid. Are Arsenal better than those two? Yes, they are – I think it is a very close call.
On key match-up for Arsenal vs Real Madrid
I think how Arsenal deal with Jude Bellingham – do they man-mark him, do they have to deploy that CDM to cope – I think over the two legs that are key.
Also, I am still not 100% convinced by David Raya, this is a big match for him to prove himself against the best Spain has to offer!
On Bukayo Saka’s injury return
- Bukayo Saka is closing in on a return from injury ahead of a huge run of fixtures
Bukayo Saka’s return could be big, I am not convinced he plays but that left-side for Real Madrid could be an issue, indeed their two full-back positions are their weakest so that is a chance and what better way to take advantage than to have their best player in Saka – but he won’t be 100% that is for sure.
On Andrea Berta’s appointment at Arsenal
- Arsenal are set to appoint Andrea Berta as their next sporting director soon
I like how they took their time over a new sporting director, they knew they needed to add someone when it comes to the foreign market especially but I like it.
Andrea Berta is very well respected and he looks to be a very good fit. The good thing is that it doesn’t need, and won’t be a revolutionist, things will evolve with him.
On Arsenal transfer plans
- This summer will be a big one for Arsenal when it comes to potential transfers
Personally, I think getting Martin Zubimendi over the line and their new number nine is key – he will play a role in getting Bukayo Saka, William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes to sign new deals, but there is not much he can do with that it will be more that Tim Lewis and Richard Garlick’s doing that.
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