Arsenal has changed considerably over the last decade and not for the right reasons for the most part. A side that was a regular Champions league participant finds itself entirely out of European competition in 2022.
However, Arsenal is attempting to turn things around and Mikel Arteta has recognised a key part of the squad beyond simply tactics and player quality which needed to change.
The problem was highlighted on social media yesterday as a clip went viral of Thierry Henry analysing the celebrations of the Arsenal players in 2017 after Alexis Sanchez scored the winning goal in a 3-2 win over Crystal Palace. A great strike from Sanchez saw half-hearted celebrations with only a few of the squad joining in.
"There is a division in the team," Henry said on Sky Sports. "He is asking them to come. 'Why are they not coming? Don't you want to celebrate?'
"You're not here for Alexis Sanchez, you're here for Arsenal. Arsenal scored. Go and celebrate. Whoever does it, we don't care about that, go and celebrate with your teammate.
"Maybe we are reading too much into it, but I noticed it. Sanchez made me notice it. It was like he thought he was alone."
It was perhaps therefore unsurprising that Alexis would leave the club in the following month, joining Manchester United in a swap deal with Henrikh Mkhitaryan.
Although the Chilean has since admitted that he regretted making the switch to Old Trafford and wished almost immediately to return to Arsene Wenger in north London.
Arsenal may not be the Champions League participating side they were when Sanchez was the star, however, Mikel Arteta is trying to bring the club back to where it once was.
Not simply being part of the elite European competition but also to rise again to the heights where prestigious silverware can be part of the conversation.
To do that, it has been more than simply the quality of the squad to address but the mentality. Compare the celebrations seen in the example of Alexis’ Palace goal to what can be seen this season and it is night and day.
It has reached a point where opposition side players, such as Ruben Neves of Wolves, have vocally complained about the celebrations of the side.
Yet, Arsenal’s mentality and togetherness are improving and Arteta has worked to bring in the right characters whilst also moving on those who were not with the program.
The squad remains in need of further refurbishment, but the current top four race Arsenal are embroiled in is evidence of the progression being made. Reaching that goal this season would represent a big leap forward from the lull of the previous three years.
Seeing a side learn from its past mistakes is a great sign and Arsenal will hope it can contribute to achieving their objectives.
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