Shortly after the final whistle blew at the Emirates on Sunday, Mike Dunlap, of the Milwaukee Bucks NBA team, offered his two cents on Arsenal’s shattered dreams.
“Growth can sometimes be painful,” the man who is part of Mikel Arteta’s infamous coaching group told Mail Sport.
This week it will be difficult for Arteta and his players to see through the fog of disappointment. To highlight the positives of a remarkable campaign and the lessons we can learn in recent months.
But between the rubble of this result and their failed title bid lie building blocks for an even brighter future.
Here, Mail Sport looks at what it cost Arsenal in their battle with Manchester City – and what they can do to come back.
Arsenal’s bid to win the Premier League title is all but over after they were beaten by Brighton
SLIMLINE SQUAD
Sunday’s double-header highlighted the challenge of trying to compete with City. It is remarkable that Arsenal have ventured on them for so long.
At Goodison Park, where Real Madrid meet mid-week, Pep Guardiola shook his pack against Everton.
John Stones, Jack Grealish, Bernardo Silva and Kevin De Bruyne were all rested. Aymeric Laporte, Riyad Mahrez, Julian Alvarez and Phil Foden entered. A nonsense of wealth.
It is no coincidence that Arteta, on the other hand, made only one forced change. The Arsenal boss has made 12 fewer changes to his starting eleven this season than any other Premier League manager. That helped his side gel and made it possible to develop combinations. But it has also illustrated the gap in resources.
Pep Guardiola was able to rest a host of big names against Everton ahead of their Real clash
The Arsenal starting eleven has been a competition for everyone this season. But the drop-off for many fringe players was too great.
William Saliba’s recent injury, for example, has proved costly. That also applies to the drop-off in the form of Thomas Partey. No wonder really. Arsenal are ahead of schedule. They are not built for a title challenge. Let alone also for the demands of Europe.
As Arteta admitted: “With the level needed for the Premier League and to fight for the Champions League, there is a lot to think about.”
GREEN OFFICES
Aaron Ramsdale recently admitted that many Arsenal players weren’t quite sure how to handle the demands of a title race. The goalkeeper didn’t suggest they were intimidated by the challenge – they were simply venturing into uncharted waters as the second-youngest starting eleven in the league.
Arteta has dismissed any suggestion that pressure is to blame for their outburst, recently claiming, “I don’t even want to think about that. If so, you are not ready to move to the next stage required at this level. So if that’s the reality, it won’t be acceptable.’
But there are indications – heightened emotions, individual mistakes, even complacency according to their manager – that some Arsenal spirits have become exhausted in recent months. Of course, it doesn’t help that Arteta learns along the way. Yes, the Spaniard has been part of title-winning teams at City, but piloting the ship comes with several challenges.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta (left) has suggested pressure is to blame for their exit
Since April 1, Arsenal have taken just nine of their 21 points, while City have missed none
Supporters will wonder if Arteta should have rotated his selection more. Whether his sideline passion was both beneficial and detrimental.
They will ask why the control that underpinned their early season success failed them recently. Or they just ran out of puff pastry.
Arteta rejected that idea, but on 1 April, Arsenal were eight points ahead. Since then, they have taken nine points from 21, with City missing none.
BIG SUMMER TALK?
Arsenal must support Arteta in the transfer window to ensure that all these advances are not rejected. Especially considering their top-six rivals will be stronger next season.
The north London club is expected to be busy – it will need to be, with several players such as Granit Xhaka and Kieran Tierney being linked with moves this summer. Arsenal must arm themselves to compete on multiple fronts. Their second streak will not fly through Champions League games like they did in the Europa League.
And that means Arsenal need more than just reinforcements. They need extra quality and extra flexibility – different options to give Arteta different ways to play.
Declan Rice is a primary target and would strengthen their midfield. They remain interested in Moises Caicedo, who put in a stunning performance for Brighton on Sunday.
The fact that he came as a right-back will also not go unnoticed by Arsenal. They need defensive additions as they have scored 25 home league goals this season – the most in a single season since they left Highbury. Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi is one of those on their radar.
The owners of Arsenal, Kroenke Sports & Entertainment, have been here before.
West Ham captain Declan Rice is a prime target and would strengthen their midfield
Led by a young coach, Sean McVay, the LA Rams reached the Super Bowl in February 2019, but fell short. The Kroenkes supported the coach – and strengthened his roster with established stars – and were paid back three years later with the Vince Lombardi Trophy.
Arsenal co-chairman Josh Kroenke was at the Emirates on Sunday, accompanied by McVay.
The mental scars from this campaign will be harder to repair. Arteta’s players will have to learn from the fine margins of recent weeks, while the manager will have to become more flexible in his selection policy.
That would make Arsenal more unpredictable and versatile. But also help prevent protagonists from slowly disappearing.
“Arsenal are coming back,” said Dunlap. ‘Step-by-step’.