Let Us Now Praise Famous Men

Looking back to go forward

When Wenger left us in late 2018 the club in footballing terms was in a sorry state. At the end of the 2018/19 season we were sixth in the table - some 37 points behind Manchester City - players like Mustafi and Kolasinac were key figures in our defence that conceded 51 goals. And we were lumbered with declining superstars like Aubameyang and Ozil whose body language reflected the general state of the club. Unai Emery was probably unlucky to take over when he did. He is obviously a good manager but turning round the club’s fortunes was a long haul project. But with the club only improving to 5th the next season (still 28 points behind City) and being down in 8th in late autumn 2019, the club replaced Emery with Arteta. 

In a fantasy world, the team might have spectacularly improved in one mighty jump to being title contenders. But in the real world, as many people on AT said at the time, it was going to take years to do so. To get to being just 5 points behind City in 2022/23 and just 2 points in 2023/24 was probably as quick as it was possible to do so. Full marks to Arteta. And it has entailed a huge clear-out of players. Only Nketiah and Saka (who were just emerging as bit part players who rarely played) have survived from the squad of 2018/19. Quite a turnaround in five years.

As we are now in the heady heights of being expected to win or come second in the Premier League next season, with such expectations come higher standards of players required to realise them. And we rightly demand that some players be replaced by those of a higher standard, capable of competing at the very highest level of world club football. But I think sometimes we are too harsh on some of the players who were part of that transition from mid-table team to title challengers. Back in those 2018/19/20 years, not many world class players would be willing to join Arsenal. The pool of players we could use or attract was of necessity more restricted and less talented than those we are now recruiting. 

That’s why I flinch sometimes when we (myself included in the past ! ) refer to some of the players who are moving on as “deadwood”. That might be an accurate description for a few (Mustafi comes to mind). But for some of the players now I think that is doing them an injustice. They were part of the transition process to where we are today. Some of the youthful Hale End lads like Nketiah, Nelson and Smith-Rowe were a breath of fresh air when they came into the team and worked their socks off for us. They are a notch or two below what we now need and can realistically attract for a title bid, but without their input we might have taken longer to get where we are today. And others such as Tierney and Ramsdale showed a real pride and passion for the club and were taken to the hearts of fans because they were such a refreshing change from what had gone before. 

So yes I agree they have to move on if we are to progress - for the clubs sake and for their own careers. But let’s not forget their contribution on the path we have travelled.