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Arsenal’s chances of winning the 2022-23 Premier League dropped significantly after last night’s heavy loss to Manchester City. The Gunners were unable to approach the match in imperious fashion, which they have done for most of the season, and were completely outclassed by Pep Guardiola’s Cityzens.
The match served as a reminder that Arsenal, despite the massive improvements they’ve made this season, are still not equipped to take on an in-form Manchester City. The absence of defensive stalwart William Saliba has stung the Gunners whose season has taken a downturn, with the title race now firmly in Pep Guardiola’s control.
We sat down with former Arsenal and Manchester United star, Mikael Silvestre to discuss how Arsenal can improve on their showing this season and the areas they need to strengthen.
In this article:
- Not winning the league will be a disappointment but Arsenal will be fighting for it next season too
- Declan Rice would be an upgrade over Thomas Partey
- Arsenal need to add one player per line
- Takehiro Tomiyasu has to show a lot more spice next season
Not winning the league will be a disappointment but Arsenal will be fighting for it next season too
The four-time Premier League winner with Manchester United has seen his fair share of title races and the disappointments that come with them. As per him, the Gunners will be disappointed considering how long they’ve been on top of the league this season and have behaved like champions for the majority of the season.
“It will be a huge disappointment for Arsenal if they are finishing second. There is no other way to put it. When you have been the leader of the Premier League for so long your state of mind will be that they are going for the title.”
“So of course, it will be normal that the players and the fans will be massively disappointed. They have been behaving like champions all the way so it will be a massive blow for them.”
Silvestre also thinks that Arsenal have blown away a massive opportunity as next season, the possibility of other teams like Man Utd, Liverpool etc. being stronger, is higher. He still backs Arsenal to be in the running for the title, but believes that they won’t be leading the table for as long as they have this season.
“I definitely expect other teams to be stronger and better next season, so I think Arsenal´s opportunity this season was a massive one of winning the title. They have to realise that.”
“I’m sure that Arsenal will be there to fight for the title next season but they might not be up there and leading for as long as they have been this season.”
It’s not all doom and gloom for the Gunners as the Frenchman iterates that this has been a great season for them and they can build something special from here on.
“But they have to continue and they have the chance to improve next season. It’s a very good time for Arsenal and they still have the chance to win the title.”
“Arsenal has a very good dynamic and they should take advantage of that no matter what happens at the end of the season.”
Declan Rice would be an upgrade over Thomas Partey
Edu and Mikel Arteta need to add quality depth in midfield and defence, as those areas have suffered from drops in quality this season.
Thomas Partey has been a key player for the Gunners but his performances in the last three matches has been woeful. Arsenal have long been linked with Declan Rice and Silvestre believes that by adding the Englishman, Arsenal will be upgrading from Thomas Partey.
“I think Partey has been excellent this season and he has played his best football for Arsenal. So, I expect him to respond and go back to his best after a few bad games.”
“But obviously, every top club needs competition and Declan Rice, with all the respect for Thomas Partey, would be an upgrade, for sure.”
Arsenal need to add one player per line
Silvestre gave the example of the drop in quality after William Saliba became unavailable, due to a back injury. He mentioned that centre-back is definitely an area of prioritisation for Arteta and Edu as that has been one of the main reasons for Arsenal’s drop in form.
“The lack of centre backs has been pricey for Arsenal and we knew from the beginning in the season that it would be the case. And now we can see that an injury can ruin a lot, so they would need to strengthen that position for the next season.”
“Yes, Saliba has been very important but there is also the fact that Ben White has played as a right back the whole season, so when an injury to Saliba happens, you can´t just put him in as the centre half because then the whole defensive structure will fall apart in some way.”
“I think that Arsenal need to add one player per line in the transfer window. So, definitely the centre back should be prioritised and I’m sure that they are looking for one.”
Takehiro Tomiyasu has to show a lot more spice next season
Continuing on the injury troubles at the defensive end, Silvestre also mentioned Takehiro Tomiyasu’s season ending injury and that he sees him playing a bigger role in the 2023-24 season.
The Frenchman did, however, say that Tomiyasu will have to show a lot more desire and fight for his spot next season.
“Everything goes super quick in football and Tomiyasu hasn´t been a regular starter this season but I definitely think that he can increase his game time next season.”
“He is a very steady defender and he can play a lot of positions, which is a great asset for both him and the manager.”
“But I still think that he is lacking a bit of spice. I think he is too nice. But he should continue and fight for his spot in the next season.”
