CHAMPIONS IN REBUILD: PART THREE- ARSENAL
CHAMPIONS IN REBUILD
PART 3
ARSENAL FOOTBALL CLUB
-Mitansh Kagalwala
We're back with the third part of our Champions In Rebuild series, where we take a look at clubs that once dominated the footballing world, but have since fallen down the pecking order, and are currently in a state of rebuild. In Part 3 of the Champions In Rebuild series, we visit lively and fierce North London and the Emirates Stadium, to meet with Arsenal Fan TV, the Gunners faithful, and Good Old Arsenal FC.
THE PAST
If ever
there was a club that perfectly embodied the picture of frustration, it’s
Arsenal. Once the Kings of England, the Gunners were the Pride of North London.
Premier League wins, European titles, domestic doubles, a legendary manager, a
flamboyant squad, and fierce derbies that closely resembled war against
archrivals Tottenham Hotspur; Arsenal really had it all.
Arsenal
have rarely done things the regular way. In the summer of 1966, following the
dismissal of Billy Wright, Arsenal promoted club physiotherapist Bertie Mee as
manager of the club. A move that surprised many, including the man himself, who
suggested that if the appointment didn’t work out after 12 months, he be
allowed to return to his former position. In 1970-71, under Bertie Mee, Arsenal
became only the second side to win the FA Cup and League double in the 20th
century, which was also the club’s first. It was a high point, though, that
Arsenal could not repeat. Following a string of near-misses at silverware, Mee
resigned in 1975-76, following a 17th place finish.
In his
place was appointed Terry Neill, a former Arsenal player, who had gone on to
manage their city rivals Spurs, before returning as head coach of the Gunners.
They reached three FA Cup finals under Neill, from 1978 to 1980, but won only
one, against Manchester United in 1979. They reached the Cup Winners Cup final in
the following 1979-80 season, after recording a legendary win against Juventus
in the semi-finals, but lost to Valencia on penalties. However, they could not
challenge Liverpool for the League title.
Following
star player Liam Brady’s departure for Juventus in 1980, Arsenal entered a
barren spell stretching to 1986. Their non-challenge of the League continued,
while they could not replicate their FA Cup form either. The Arsenal Board of
Directors contacted Aberdeen and a certain Sir Alex Ferguson to guide them back
to glory, however Ferguson rejected their offer. Another name to add to
Arsenal’s famous list of failed transfers.
In May
1986, another ex-Arsenal player, George Graham was appointed as manager. The
old guard of the team were gradually replaced by a young group of players
including Lee Dixon, Tony Adams and Alan Smith. In Graham’s first season in
charge, Arsenal won the League Cup after a string of comebacks. Arsenal won two
League titles under Graham, in 1988-89 and 1990-91. In 1993/94 Arsenal won
their second European trophy, beating holders and favourites Parma in the Cup
Winners Cup final, thanks to an Alan Smith volley.
In 1996,
Arsenal appointed Frenchman Arsene Wenger to the post of head coach of the
club, thus beginning the Wenger Era, perhaps the most successful time in the
history of the club. The Frenchman guided the North London side to 17 trophies
in his 22 years at the helm (1996-2018). Wenger won three Premier Leagues
(1997/98, 2001/02, 2003/04), seven FA Cups, and 7 English Super Cups, achieving
the domestic double in 1997/98 and 2001/02.
One Of The Greatest Managers Of All Time- Arsene Wenger
The
Frenchman’s greatest ever achievement, however, is probably his Invincible side
of 2003/04. They ran over the Premier League that season, winning 26 and
drawing 12 in an extraordinary run of form. A legendary side with players such
as Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp, Freddie Ljungberg, Robert Pires, Patrick
Vieira, Sol Campbell, Ashley Cole, Kolo Toure, and Jens Lehmann, the Arsenal
squad of 2003/04 became only the second in English football history to finish a
season without defeat, in a run that stretched to a record 49 games. An
incredible, unrepeatable feat.
Arsenal's Invincibles: A Legendary Squad
THE FALL
Arsenal’s
fall arguably started in the 2015/16 season, when they failed to capitalize on
the rest of the “Big 6” being weak and let Leicester clinch the title. It would
have been the Gunners first Premier League win since the Invincible 03/04
season. The following season, as Chelsea, Manchester City, Liverpool and the
rest of the Big 6 strengthened themselves, Arsenal were left behind in the
dust. The Gunners biggest signings that season were Granit Xhaka, Shkodran
Mustafi and Lucas Perez. Yeah, it’s not surprising how that played out.
The Gunners
finished 5th that season, failing to achieve top 4, a spot which is
normally reserved for them, for the first time since 1995/96, and for the first
time under Arsene Wenger. The following season, Arsenal lost some of their best
players. Alexis Sanchez left for United in an exchange which involved Henrikh
Mkhitaryan going the other way. A transfer which, in the end, proved a loss for
both sides. Other high-profile departures included Alex Oxlaide-Chamberlain
(Liverpool), Theo Walcott (Everton), Wojciech Szczesny (Juventus), Olivier
Giroud (Chelsea) and Gabriel Paulista (Valencia). While Arsenal did bring in
reinforcements, in the form of strikers Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick
Aubameyang, their overall squad weakened, especially at the back.
The
following season, Arsenal finished 6th, and the cries for Wenger’s
removal grew louder. The Frenchman’s last game as coach at the Emirates was a
5-0 win against Burnley. He received a standing ovation before the game, and
was presented with a gold mini-replica of the special Premier League Trophy his
Invincibles side had won in 2003/04.
And thus,
the Wenger era came to an end.
Next in
line was former Paris Saint Germain manager Unai Emery. The Spaniard did not
have much success, leading the Gunners to a 5th place finish. Hopes
were high for Emery however; he led Arsenal to a Europa League final, only
losing to Chelsea 4-1.
Emery’s
second season was a disaster, however. The Spaniard was sacked halfway through
the campaign, and Pep Guardiola’s apprentice, and ex-Arsenal player Mikel
Arteta was brought in to steady the ship.
Current Arsenal Manager Mikel Arteta
Arteta led
Arsenal to back-to-back 8th place finishes, leading to calls for his
removal. However, perhaps frustratingly, the Arsenal board trusted in Arteta,
leading to the Spaniard keeping his job, despite thrashings from their nearest
rivals, most recently 0-4 against Liverpool and 0-5 against Manchester City in
the 1st half of the 21/22 season.
From their
Invincible squad of 2003/04, to not having qualified for the UEFA Champions
League in 5 years, it has been a deep fall from grace for the Gunners. At least
their fans can take solace in the fact that their archrivals Tottenham Hotspur haven’t
done much better in terms of silverware either.
THE
PRESENT, AND THE FUTURE
Calls for
Arteta’s sacking have never been louder than after the 0-5 loss against
Manchester City. Arsenal languished in 20th place, and relegation
was no longer just a joke from the other side of North London. They then
struggled to a 1-0 win against Norwich, and while they notched their first win
of the season, disappointment in the team grew stronger.
Since then,
however, Arsenal have been solid, arguably one of the better sides in the
Premier League, notching up 33 points in 17 games since their win against
Norwich. Blips against Liverpool, Manchester United and Everton aside, Arsenal
really look like challenging for their customary 4th spot and EFL
Cup win. The Gunners even challenged a seemingly invincible Manchester City
side, losing 1-2 to a last-minute Rodri winner, in a game where the North
Londoners were arguably robbed of victory.
Arsenal
have indeed made some smart signings in this window. The effect that Aaron
Ramsdale, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Ben White, and Martin Odegaard have had on the
squad cannot be understated. Arsenal finally have their fighting spirit back.
Further, they have made some excellent sells. How they managed to get £25 million for Joe Willock is beyond us.
2021 Summer Signings (L to R) : Aaron Ramsdale, Ben White, Sambi-Lokonga, Martin Odegaard, Nuno Tavares
Their young
guns have also massively stepped up. In the absence of exiled club captain
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, before his move to Barcelona, youngsters Gabriel
Martinelli, Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe have taken the helm and guided
Arsenal up the table. Arteta’s process finally seems to be working, with Arsenal
playing some beautiful football. Arteta seems to trust in the kids: Arsenal
have a lineup with an average age of just approximately 25.01 to 25.3 years,
the youngest in the Premier League.
The Gunners
have climbed steadily up the table, and sit 6th, being one of the
favourites for that 4th Champions League spot. However, their
transfer business in the January window has disillusioned Arsenal fans, with no
reinforcements coming in, while there were some key departures. However,
Arsenal still look good for that 4th place. It will be an added
bonus that they will achieve Champions League qualification at the expense of
Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United.
A bright
future is ahead of the Gunner faithful. No matter how far they fall, Arsenal
will always climb back to challenge for that 4th place spot. Whether
they be frustratingly bad or surprisingly good on the field, Good Old Arsenal
will always fight back to success.
CHAMPIONS IN REBUILD PART TWO: MANCHESTER UNITED
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