BAKU, AZERBAIJAN – MAY 29: A dejected Granit Xhaka of Arsenal after losing the UEFA Europa League Final between Chelsea and Arsenal at Baku Olimpiya Stadionu on May 29, 2019 in Baku, Azerbaijan. (Photo by James Williamson – AMA/Getty Images)
Three things that Arsenal must address after disastrous Europa League showing…
Arsenal Football Club always has aspirations of finishing in a top four spot in the Premier League table, which would grant them a berth in the Champions League. After falling on their collective faces over the final moth of league play, the Gunners still had a way into Europe’s most prestigious competition.
All they had to do was to win the Europa League final against Chelsea.
That did not happen.
After the 4-1 thrashing at the hands of their London-based rivals, Arsenal are left to pick up the pieces and quickly put together a plan for a better showing next season.
Now that the Champions League final has concluded, with Arsenal fans thankful that, in their eyes, the lesser of two evils won, it is time for the footballing world to turn their eyes to the summer transfer window.
It may not be too much of a stretch to say that this window is the most important window in recent memory for the Gunners and is, without a doubt, the biggest window in the short employment of the manager.
There are questions marks with the status of some of the team’s biggest names (and contracts.) Rumors are flying, almost by the minute, about different players being linked to club in some shape or fashion.
There is no question that big changes are afoot, but what can be done to fix a club that seems to be in such disarray?
Arsenal Football Club</a> always has aspirations of finishing in a top four spot in the <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2019/06/03/three-steps-fix-arsenal-europa-league-failure/"https://fbref.com/en/comps/9/Premier-League-Stats">Premier League</a> table, which would grant them a berth in the Champions League. After falling on their collective faces over the final moth of league play, the Gunners still had a way into Europe’s most prestigious competition.</p>
<p>All they had to do was to win the Europa League final against Chelsea.</p>
<p>That did not happen.</p>
<p>After the 4-1 thrashing at the hands of their London-based rivals, Arsenal are left to pick up the pieces and quickly put together a plan for a better showing next season.</p>
<p>Now that the Champions League final has concluded, with Arsenal fans thankful that, in their eyes, the lesser of two evils won, it is time for the footballing world to turn their eyes to the summer transfer window.</p>
<p>It may not be too much of a stretch to say that this window is the most important window in recent memory for the Gunners and is, without a doubt, the biggest window in the short employment of the manager.</p>
<p>There are questions marks with the status of some of the team’s biggest names (and contracts.) Rumors are flying, almost by the minute, about different players being linked to club in some shape or fashion.</p>
<p>There is no question that big changes are afoot, but what can be done to fix a club that seems to be in such disarray?</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #0" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://playingfor90.com/2019/06/03/three-steps-fix-arsenal-europa-league-failure/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> The best place to start is at the top </a>
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<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">BAKU, AZERBAIJAN – MAY 29: Arsenal manager Unai Emery walks past the trophy following the UEFA Europa League Final between Chelsea and Arsenal at Baku Olimpiya Stadionu on May 29, 2019 in Baku, Azerbaijan. (Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images)</p>
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<h4>1. Sort out the manager situation</h4>
<p>Unai Emery was selected to replace Arsene Wenger, in large part, due to his impeccable Europa League record. Before Wednesday’s debacle in Baku, Emery was undefeated in three EL final appearances, having lifted the trophy in 2014, 2015, and 2016 as the manager at La Liga side <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2019/06/03/three-steps-fix-arsenal-europa-league-failure/"https://fbref.com/en/squads/ad2be733/Sevilla">Sevilla.
<p>After not automatically qualifying for the Champions League via the Premier League, all of Emery’s chips were pushed-in for the Europa with great confidence, which was quickly squashed by former Gunner <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2019/06/03/three-steps-fix-arsenal-europa-league-failure/"https://fbref.com/en/players/16ceb862/Olivier-Giroud">Olivier Giroud</a> and ‘Mr. Everything’ <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2019/06/03/three-steps-fix-arsenal-europa-league-failure/"https://fbref.com/en/players/a39bb753/Eden-Hazard">Eden Hazard</a>.</p>
<p>Now, rumblings from supporters and pundits are that perhaps Emery isn’t the right man for the job.</p>
<p>This situation must be dealt with swiftly and with finality.</p>
<p>If Emery is viewed as the manager going forward and the executives do not see the need for a change, they must make that clear immediately. It is difficult to do summer business with the rumor of a coaching change in the air. It also sends a bad vibe through the changing room at a club that is at its lowest point in recent memory.</p>
<p>A strong argument could be made for both sacking him or keeping him, but Arsenal seem to be a club that doesn’t wish to become a carousel of managers. The men in charge must release a statement in the coming days that put these thoughts to rest. If the rumor is allowed to permeate, it could scare off potential signees, submarining any chance at a successful window.</p>
<p>Once that bit of news is taken care of, it’s time to turn attention to the largest elephant in the Arsenal room.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #0" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://playingfor90.com/2019/06/03/three-steps-fix-arsenal-europa-league-failure/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Ozil's last stand? </a>
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<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 25: Mesut Ozil of Arsenal looks on from the substitutes bench during the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Arsenal FC at Vitality Stadium on November 25, 2018 in Bournemouth, United Kingdom. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Offside/Getty Images)</p>
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<h4>2. Sell Mesut Ozil</h4>
<p>This is a hot-button issue right now in London, and with Arsenal supporters all over the globe.</p>
<p><a href=https://playingfor90.com/2019/06/03/three-steps-fix-arsenal-europa-league-failure/"https://fbref.com/en/players/16380240/Mesut-Ozil">Mesut Ozil</a>‘s talent is undeniable, but it is becoming rare that it is displayed for the world to see.</p>
<p>By making £350,000 a week, the German is the highest paid player at Arsenal and is one of the top paid players in the entire Premier League. His performances, more often than not, do not match the price tag.</p>
<p>It is fair to say that Ozil’s contributions aren’t always measured by statistics you see on the score sheet, but lately he isn’t even passing the eye-test.</p>
<p>New rumors in the London papers are that Emery would be willing to part with his starting CAM, if a suitable offer is made.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Where could Mesut Ozil end up?</p>
<p>— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2019/06/03/three-steps-fix-arsenal-europa-league-failure/"https://twitter.com/SkySportsPL/status/1134554893467828224?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>May 31, 2019</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src=https://playingfor90.com/2019/06/03/three-steps-fix-arsenal-europa-league-failure/"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script><br>
This must be the first bit of business Arsenal attempt. If the disconnect between Ozil and Emery is real, then Arsenal must try to get as much out of a team for his services as they can before it becomes a public fight.</p>
<p>Tensions were already at a <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2019/06/03/three-steps-fix-arsenal-europa-league-failure/"https://twitter.com/thedarkpav/status/1134046127089639424">boiling point</a> during the Chelsea match after Ozil was subbed off, and things could get worse if this is allowed to continue without resolution.</p>
<p>The team probably will not get the price once thought. Ozil’s poor performances of late have surely hurt his stock in the eyes of potential suitors.</p>
<p>At this point, Arsenal must take the best offer and reinvest the money in the club to fill the other holes in their lineup.</p>
<p>Arsenal must sell Mesut Ozil.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #0" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://playingfor90.com/2019/06/03/three-steps-fix-arsenal-europa-league-failure/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Breaking up the Dynamic Duo </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-465397 size-large" src=https://playingfor90.com/2019/06/03/three-steps-fix-arsenal-europa-league-failure/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fplayingfor90.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2016%2F04%2F1068885410-850x560.jpeg" alt="" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">Arsenal’s Alexandre Lacazette (left) and Arsenal’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang react after the final whistle during the Premier League match at Old Trafford, Manchester. (Photo by Martin Rickett/PA Images via Getty Images)</p>
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<h4>3. Raising more funds</h4>
<p>Even after selling Ozil, Arsenal will still need to fill their war chest by way of selling pieces.</p>
<p>It has been widely broadcast that the owners, Stan and Josh Kroenke, will not invest any of their own money into the team and the club must be self-sufficient.</p>
<div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="StoryLink" data-theme="light" data-text="Arsenal execs discuss owners' vision" data-url="https://playingfor90.com/2019/05/25/arsenal-brass-talk-stan-josh-kroenke-aaron-ramsey-state-club/" data-call-to-action="Related Story"> <div class="story-link-related"> <a class="story-link-related-btn" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="story-link-related-shortcode" href=https://playingfor90.com/2019/06/03/three-steps-fix-arsenal-europa-league-failure/"https://playingfor90.com/2019/05/25/arsenal-brass-talk-stan-josh-kroenke-aaron-ramsey-state-club/"> <span class="call_to_action">Related Story:</span> Arsenal execs discuss owners' vision </a> </div>
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<p>The only way Arsenal are able to do that, after missing out on the Champions League revenue, is to start selling.</p>
<p><a href=https://playingfor90.com/2019/06/03/three-steps-fix-arsenal-europa-league-failure/"https://fbref.com/en/players/3f2d59fe/Shkodran-Mustafi">Shkodran Mustafi</a>, <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2019/06/03/three-steps-fix-arsenal-europa-league-failure/"https://fbref.com/en/players/dd0daf32/Henrikh-Mkhitaryan">Henrikh Mkhitaryan</a>, and <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2019/06/03/three-steps-fix-arsenal-europa-league-failure/"https://fbref.com/en/players/3935e52e/Sead-Kolasinac">Sead Kolasinac</a> must be the first ones out, behind Ozil.</p>
<p>Mustafi has become a punchline as a defender. Mkhitaryan is a one-dimensional player that does not seem to fit Emery’s model moving forward. Kolasinac could be made expendable by the return of <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2019/06/03/three-steps-fix-arsenal-europa-league-failure/"https://fbref.com/en/players/f874dd44/Hector-Bellerin">Hector Bellerin</a> from injury, which would allow <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2019/06/03/three-steps-fix-arsenal-europa-league-failure/"https://fbref.com/en/players/e3a5814e/Ainsley-Maitland-Niles">Ainsley Maintland-Niles</a> to move across to Kolasinac’s left side.</p>
<p>While those funds would allow the club to pursue talented players, there is one transfer question that could swing the window to Arsenal’s side in one transaction.</p>
<p><a href=https://playingfor90.com/2019/06/03/three-steps-fix-arsenal-europa-league-failure/"https://www.sport-english.com/en/news/barca/alexandre-lacazette-spotted-in-barcelona-7483989?_ga=2.170634272.1625635335.1559336587-1083108614.1559336587%22>Speculation about a potential <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2019/06/03/three-steps-fix-arsenal-europa-league-failure/"https://fbref.com/en/players/9dbb75ca/Alexandre-Lacazette">Alexandre Lacazette</a> move has ramped up in the days after the Europa final. While there hasn’t been a concrete report from a reputable source, it would seem safe to assume either Lacazette or his battery-mate at forward, <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2019/06/03/three-steps-fix-arsenal-europa-league-failure/"https://fbref.com/en/players/d5dd5f1f/Pierre-Emerick-Aubameyang">Pierre Emerick-Aubumeyang</a>, need to be moved.</p>
<p>While Lacazette may fetch the bigger fee, Aubameyang is on the wrong side of 30 and this could be Arsenal’s best chance to get a big return on the reigning Golden Boot winner.</p>
<p>If either are sold, Arsenal could completely overhaul their lineup and stay in contention for a top four finish in the Premier League.</p>
<p>After their showing against Chelsea, the moves must start coming fast and furious.</p>
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<p>What moves do you believe Arsenal should make? Sound off in the comments!</p><!—pageview_candidate—>">