Obsessed Unai Emery could hold answers to Arsenal's problems

After finishing in second behind Leicester City three seasons ago the situation at Arsenal deterioted greatly in the last two seasons resulting in the Gunners first finishing outside the Champions League positions under Arsene Wenger, then Arsenal fared even worse in the 2017/18 season finishing in sixth.

That sixth placed finish came as a result of what was Wenger's worst performance as Arsenal manager losing 12 matches - the most he's had in a league season -, winning just one away game in 2018 and performed extremely poorly in crunch matches against the sides above them collecting just six points.

For some part those results came from Arsenal's weak resolve, feeble defending and tactical naivety, but also to a greater degree came down to Arsene Wenger losing that vital spark a manager requires.

You could say much about the quality of his Arsenal squad but you'd notice that when push came to shove such as when they were pummeled by Liverpool at Anfield the Frenchman displayed very little in the way feeling and under any another other manager you'd expect a team like Arsenal to receive at least a tongue lashing or players being named and shamed in the post match interviews.  

Wenger seemed to have a degree of numbness in the final years of his tenure at Arsenal and that combined with a seeming lack of passion for the game, a requisite for success, it was inevitable that Arsenal were bound for Thursday nights consisting of Europa League football.

After his retirement at the end of the season it made sense, even though it was unexpected, to appoint Unai Emery as his successor. The Spaniard is set to be announced as the next Arsenal manager later this week.

Say what you about his time at PSG one thing that's become clear from his previous managerial experience is his eye for detail and obsession with the beautiful game.

A point relayed by ex player Joaquin to the Guardian back in 2015: "Emery put on so many videos I ran out of popcorn,” he joked “he’s obsessed by football, it’s practically an illness.”

And even though Emery was not the man most Arsenal fans would have wanted, it is that obsession with improvement and meticulous approach to the game that make him the perfect candidate for a side which at times never was able to improve or have concrete plan in mind when approaching the game.

Even in the vast riches and talents that were present in his last job, Emery was focused on fine tuning PSG into the club that it hopes to become in the future by tweaking some of the finer qualities of Neymar's game.

“We are analysing some videos with him to see how he can grow,” said Emery last year, “especially in his positioning and how to work with his colleagues.”

His style of going over extensive video footage may have not been the right approach for a club like PSG considering their infinite riches and approach to the game, and at Arsenal his approach to the game could pay dividends. 

His for eye for detail and constant improvement is responsible for producing some of the biggest names in football in recent memory. These include the likes of David Silva, Alvaro Negredo, Juan Mata and Jesus Navas. 

In his time at PSG he also allowed young talent to rise to the top with Adrien Rabiot, Presnel Kimpembe and Giovanni Lo Celso coming into first team picture as a result. That youth development would prove to be invaluable at a club like Arsenal who don't have the financial muscle of a Man City, United or Chelsea.

It also doesn't hurt that he got somewhat an endorsement to manage the club from Arsenal legend Ian Wright.

Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Wright had this to say about Emery: " His coaching ability will have to get going instantly and he will have to find some gems instantly.

"I wouldn't be disgruntled as an Arsenal fan about Unai Emery, I think the fact he's come out of left field when everyone's thinking 'it's going to be Arteta', that's the only problem. If we do see a difference in intensity, drive and consistency everybody will get onside and that's all Arsenal fans want to see."

To get to the top sometimes you need to take a few detours

Time changes all things and nowhere has that proven more true than in the case of Liverpool's Egyptian ace, Mohamed Salah. Salah has been undoubtedly the breakout star of a season that's had more than its share of ups and downs and more so in the Champions League. 

Salah has scored 44 goals in 50 matches, 10 of which were in the Champions League, and its fitting that his fairy tale rise amongst the world's best could have another chapter if he ends up capping off his spectacular season by lifting the most coveted trophy in club football. This would complete his story in the tournament where his rise to the top had initially began.

A young Mohamed Salah produced a some eye catching performances while playing for FC Basel in the 2013/14 season scoring in home and away wins over Chelsea in the Champions League. The Blues were impressed and promptly signed Salah during the January window.

His dream move would only last 12 months though as Salah couldn't nail down a regular place in the team which he attributed to the limited game time he had at Stamford Bridge.

"I didn't do well because I didn't play many games," he told Marca.

Salah only made 19 appearances in those 12 months and game time became harder to come by towards the end of his time at Chelsea.

"I was there for one year, but I only played during the first six months.

"After that, I hardly participated. I went to Fiorentina, scored goals, then in Rome I played very well and returned to England. But it's not a matter of succeeding or not."

Salah's summer move to Anfield has proven to be as beneficial as much to himself as to Liverpool. 

Salah scored 34 goals over two seasons with Roma and his rapid ascent to top pays testament to the forward thinking and offensive mindset that Jurgen Klopp has cultivated at Anfield.

His story and Liverpool's, in essence, has been a coming-of-age story as both he and Liverpool seemingly came from nowhere after reinventing themselves, going from playing in the play-offs of the Champions League to doing the unprecedented going into the final to face one of the best sides in the world on equal footing.

What a Ride Its Been

The final touches were put on another spectacular Premier League season on Sunday. While there was very little surprise where the title would eventually end up for much of the season, the world's most competitive league still delivered as it excited football fans.

With that, let's take a trip down memory lane to look back at some of individuals, events and story lines that made this season so special.

KING MAKER

Pep Guardiola arrived at Manchester City in 2016 with a lot of expectation behind him, but things didn't pan out as expected as City proved to be inconsistent after the first nine games of the season. City disappointedly finished in third. That looked to have served as a learning curve for the Spaniard as the ex Barcelona manager polished off the rough edges and made some new acquisitions in the summer.

Even more importantly, individual player performances improved exponentially which translated into better all-around performances as a team as the blue half of Manchester blazed a path to glory the likes of which have yet to be seen in English football.

This culminated in Guardiola and his men securing a league and cup double and handing the Man City boss his seventh league title in a third different country.

RECORD BREAKERS

What can be said of Manchester City that hasn't been said this season? Not only did the Cityzens secure a third league title in six seasons, but they did it in style as they seemingly broke every record under the sun.

City became the first side to accumulate 100 points in the Premier League, set a new record for the most number of goals scored in a season with a 106, set a new record of longest win streak in the league with 18 consecutive wins, had the most number of wins and won more matches away from home than any other team.

Effectively, City threw down the gauntlet for the rest of the league, and in the process set down a new marker for the definition of greatness.

What's even more astonishing is how much City have improved in the span of just a season and if this season is anything to by it looks like City are just getting started meaning they could go on to even improve on some their feats from this season.

THE RISE OF KING MO SALAH

Coming out of the summer Mohamed Salah proved to be the signing of the season when he swapped the Stadio Olympico for Anfield. The Egyptian proved to be an absolute gem as he finished the season with 44 goals in total, and should be favourite for a Balon D'Or, but more importantly he's proven instrumental to Liverpool's campaign as the Reds finished in fourth.

Salah also scooped a host of individual accolades as he won the PFA Player of the year, FWA Footballer of the Year, Liverpool Player of the Year and Premier League Player of the Year as well as the league's golden boot.

Those accolades pale in comparison as the Egyptian set the record for the most number of goals in a Premier League after scoring 32 goals. And this was done as Salah scored against 17 opponents he faced throughout the season.

END OF AN ERA

In what will probably the one of the biggest talking points of the 2017/18 season, Arsene Wenger announced his retirement as the manager of Arsenal in 2018. This brought an end to a career that spanned 22 years winning 17 trophies in the process.

The decision was long overdue as the results at Arsenal have been gradually backsliding as they've made their worst finishes in the Premier League over the last two seasons.

LOOK WHO'S HEADING TO EUROPE

A Premier League season is can't  be complete without an underdog story. This season it was Burnley who upset the odds as they first stunned champions Chelsea at the Bridge on the opening day of the season.

The Clarets would go on marching to  beat of that drum as they finsihed in seventh behind Arsenal, an astounding feat for a club recently promoted to league just last season and with limited resources.

That seventh place finish now means that Burnley will compete in the play-off round of Europa League marking an end to 51-year wait to make an appearance in European competition.

Barcelona: from bumpy beginnings to a good finish and a lesson learnt from this season

Barcelona have come a long way since the circus of last summer's transfer window where the Catalans were rocked by the the sudden departure of Brazilian ace Neymar. The ensuing fall out from that departure meant that Barca weren't able to secure their first option in Phillipe Coutinho (who'd they'd eventually sign in January).

Any efforts to make any other signings were scuppered as a result of the Neymar deal as player prices ballooned. Barca did however land two big signings with Ousmane Dembele and, surprisingly, Paulinho eventually making the move to the Nou Camp.

But from the off Barca's season looked to be doomed as they suffered a 5-1 aggregate defeat in the season's curtain raiser, the Spanish Super Cup, to bitter rivals Real Madrid.

When looking back at that the Spanish giants will consider how much sweeter it is for them to silence the doubters after securing the league and cup double, an achievement which will only be surpassed if they finish the league season undefeated.

The one disappointment from Barca's season was in how they were ousted from the Champions League as they were flimsy in defending a three goal lead to lose on away goals against a gutsy Roma.

And that loss was preceded, over the last few seasons, by two big loses in Paris and Turin, and even though Barca did pull off a miracle to overturn PSG 6-5 on aggregate at home, it was inevitable they couldn't keep waiting to play at home to overturn big first leg defeats.

So the next natural step for Ernesto Valverde will be translate Barca's domestic dominance into European supremacy by building a team like they have this season, but also adding some much needed depth to turn game around when the starters aren't getting the job done.

Who Will Beat The Drop?

With Stoke City's exit from the Premier League confirmed this past weekend two other sides are set to join the Potters in the Championship next season. Huddersfield, West Brom, Southhampton and Swansea's Premier League status is on the line.

Out of all the teams on the hook, it is West Brom who are in the least favourable position despite their heroics in the last few weeks where they've gone undefeated in the last five games. The Baggies' fate is no longer in their own hands and by the time they kick-off this Sunday they could already be relegated depending on how things go with the midweek fixtures and West Brom getting a huge win against Crystal Palace.

Speaking of midweek fixtures, the most important of which being Swansea hosting Southhampton in a do or die match where a win for either side would go some way to confirm their Premier League status for next season. Southhampton will definently need to go all out in Wales as Manchester City await them at Saint Mary's on Sunday.

Swansea, on the other hand, are in a better position as they host Southhampton and an already relegated Stoke on the final day, however the Swans haven't been the form lately losing three of their last five matches so things might not be so straight forward.

Huddersfield, on paper, look to be in prime position to remain in the league with only a win in one of their last two fixtures would render any positive results for the teams below them a moot point. Unfortunately, the newly promoted side will have to do it the hard as they take on a Chelsea side who are currently on a five match win streak and the stakes are just as high for the Blues as a win would take them above Spurs for a spot in the Champions League.

The hits keep on coming for Huddersfield as they host Arsenal in their final match, but then again Arsenal haven't won a match away from home in 2018 and the Terriers should come out all guns blazing to secure their future in the Premier League. 

Typical Arsenal always too little, too late

Arsenal gave Arsene Wenger a proper send off as the Gunners romped to a 5-0 win over Burnley in their final home game at the Emirates. As much as the match was about  the Gunners bidding farewell to their French mentor you can't overlook the events over recent seasons, and in this season in particular, which have led to the end of Wenger's tenure as Arsenal manager.

Arsenal have lost 12 matches, the highest number under Wenger, this season and those losses include the six consecutive defeats suffered away from the Emirates. Not to mention how poorly they faired against the teams higher up the table only winning one out of the 10 most crucial games this season.

The win against Burnley provides proof of the one characteristic that has let Arsenal down on so many occassions in the past and that's the inability to win matches when the pressure is on and even more importantly, when it counts.

Arsenal were eliminated from the Europa League by Atletico Madrid last Thursday after they fumbled their way through the first leg playing against ten men. 

In the second leg clearly the writing was on the wall and they couldn't find away past a stubborn Atletico.

But conveniently Arsenal, as their always likely to do, put on a superb performance to down a team with a similar philosophy of being hard to beat just three days later goes to speak volumes of how Arsenal haven't regularly been big match team especially this season.

It says much about the current attitude at Arsenal that they usually only ever seem to turn it on when their in low stakes matches or when the chance to win trophy was dead and buried.

Couple that with the low expectations of just playing to  qualify for Champions League football each season in the past when it was easier to win the league title then compared to now where Arsenal even on their best day could not be able wrestle anything away from their rivals. So it was inevitable that Arsenal would miss the mark one day.

With that the man who will be next up to take the Arsenal hot seat will have to deal with much more than buying the right players, but will also have to deal with changing the club's approach and attitude towards defining would be considered success.

Wenger out to right one last wrong before Arsenal exit

Last Friday Arsene Wenger announced that he will be ending his time as manager of Arsenal where the Frenchman won a total of 17 trophies in 22 years. Even though the success at Arsenal has gradually declined over the last few seasons credit has to be given to Wenger in keeping the Gunners competitive in the times of billionaire investors and booming financial revenues.

However, there remains one blemish on the Frenchman's managerial record: failing to win a European cup. The closest the Gunners came to winning a European title was back in 2006 when Barcelona came back from a goal down to beat the Londoners 2-1 in the Champions League.

In the years since then Champions League football has brought nothing but anguish for Wenger and his men and after dropping outside of the Champions League spots for the first time under Wenger, Arsenal have one last chance to give their long time mentor a proper send off by doing what they haven't done before under Wenger by winning the Europa League.

A task which on paper which would be easier said than done as Arsenal take on Diego Simeone's Atletico Madrid in  the competition's semi-final stage.

The Rojiblancos, are by all rights, very formidable opponents having already played in two Champions League finals and having been regulars in the competition's latter stages in recent seasons. Not to mention the cup pedigree Atleti have in Europe's secondtier competition having won it on two different occasions in the past.

Couple that with their industrious and organized approach to the game Atletico should present a stiff challenge for Wenger's Arsenal.

Atletico have became renowned for their defensive acumen and counter attacking football, which is the type of football that causes regular headaches for the Gunners with the defensive woes Arsenal have had in the past.

It also goes without mentioning, that Atletico also have some flash in their side married with their sturdiness in the form of Antoine Griezman and even more significantly for Arsenal Diego Costa.

Costa became public enemy number one at the Emirates after his stint in England with Chelsea and blooded the Gunners' on more than one occasion scoring three goals in six matches against Arsenal and was the main instigator of controversy against Arsenal on more than a few occasions. 

Despite initial thoughts that the Brazilian born forward would miss out on Thursday's first leg clash at the Emirates,  news broke that Costa made a good recovery over the last few days and could feature at the start or from the bench which could complicate things for Arsenal.