Arsenal have failed to qualify for the Champions League for the past five seasons. A club this size belongs amongst Europe’s elite and for a whole host of reasons they haven’t been able to do that since Arsene Wenger's retirement.
Despite it being a difficult few years, things are finally looking up for the Gunners and the Arsenal faithful have now got something to cheer about. Performances are improving and Mikel Arteta's side is just two points outside of the top four with two games in hand.
Although the top four looked a big ask at the start of the season, with the way things have panned out, would finishing outside of the top four be a failure for Arsenal? On yesterday's The Arsenal Way 'Transfer Insight' show, Tom Canton (TC) and Umar Choudhry (UC) discussed what would be deemed as a successful season in their view.
UC: “If we make signings, then I’m very, very confident we will get there (top four), if we don’t I’m still confident because the teams around Arsenal at this moment in time don’t look too good.”
TC: “I’ve been talking about it throughout the season and focusing on the top six, but the point was raised that we don't have Europe this season and without the FA Cup distraction, the excuses for the club not to finish in the top four are rapidly decreasing.
“If Arsenal don’t reach the top four it would have to be by the finest of margins to justify things because without European football, no FA Cup distraction and having spent £150 million in the summer, there is a strong argument to say top four should be a minimum expectation.
“When at the start of the season people were saying to me top four was a minimum, I thought perhaps that was a bit too harsh. I do start to take on their points considering where we do sit in the league and with the potential to make new signings, added to the fact Man United are struggling, Spurs are as well and even Chelsea are now starting to struggle.
“I don’t think the top six is a failure but if we weren’t to get top four, I’d call it a missed opportunity.”
UC: “At the start of the season, I thought top five or six at least we’re competing - that was my main goal. If we were competing with the big teams and we’re improving our performances, I’d be happy.
“But now the doors are starting to open, the competition's not that good and we’re looking for key signings for key areas. The team has that mentality when they get into a situation, they’re not going to give in.
“It would be underwhelming if we didn’t get top four because when opportunity strikes, you need to take it. For Arsenal, there is an opportunity to get back into the Champions League and if they didn’t, it could potentially be a big setback for these players.”
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