Arsenal’s elimination from the League Cup semi-final at the hands of Liverpool was a disappointment that concludes any hope of a trophy for the Gunners this season.
The game had promised much after a valiant display at Anfield however, the first half strike from Diogo Jota completely sucked the life from the performance despite Arsenal making a strong and threatening start to the match.
The Arsenal fan base was frustrated by the performance and again there were some calls for a change in coach questioning whether this side was progressing under Mikel Arteta. With just 18 games to go between now and the end of the season, every fixture has become a cup final as the Spaniard attempts to qualify the club for the Champions League.
Instead of simply and quickly disregarding those calls for a change of coach, as often I myself can be guilty of, perhaps it is best to consider the position further and question whether there is credit.
Again in-game management from Arteta was highlighted as a criticism. The substitutions made in the second half did little to change the structure of the team.
Liverpool have struggled against sides playing wing-backs and with Nuno Tavares and young Ryan Alebiosu, who has seven assists in the wide role this season for the under 23s, on the bench, Arteta could have changed more drastically.
He could have brought off the exhausted and error-strewn Takehiro Tomiyasu, at fault down to his unreadiness to start the match having only just returned from injury, and moving Kieran Tierney to left centre-half of a back three.
Tavares and Alebiosu could’ve offered more width and support to Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli who were isolated by Jurgen Klopp’s defensive masterclass.
However, considering Arteta’s decision-making in the first leg brought home a 0-0 scoreline, the inconsistencies in choice are not enough yet to condemn him to the exit door.
Knocked out of both cup competitions in the same month, especially to a lower league side in the FA Cup, is disappointing. However, Arsenal remain very much in the race for the top four, despite the start of the season looking likely this would be but a pipe dream.
Win their games in hand and the Gunners would be level with ‘title challengers’ Chelsea. It seems still rash to consider sacking the Spaniard especially after the team he has largely built with Edu is what has positioned them there.
For the sake of a hypothetical argument, however, imagine Arteta is sacked. Arsenal, in January, trying to sign the likes of Dusan Vlahovic and Arthur Melo, have 10 days to finish their business and now appoint a new coach.
Everton find themselves in this situation and have been linked to Brighton boss Graham Potter. The former Ostersunds head coach knows plenty about beating Arsenal in Europe and in the Premier League. However, his methods can take time to adapt to, evident by Brighton’s single home league win in the entirety of 2020. Perhaps not the best choice with just five months left of the season.
Zinedine Zidane is a coach out of work at present. However, the latest reports from Marca suggest he will be Mauricio Pochettino’s replacement at PSG before the former Spurs man joins Manchester United in the summer.
Zidane also has yet to manage outside of Real Madrid and coming to a new league, with a team of very different expectations at present, with five months to go, again would be one hell of a task.
Lastly is Erik ten Hag. The Ajax boss has persistently said that he would remain with Ajax until the end of the season. Even Manchester United had to defer to Ralf Rangnick due to the Dutchman’s commitment to the Amsterdam side.
This discussion is not to suggest Arteta is beyond sacking. He is not, no manager is. Arsenal is far bigger than any individual. However, in the circumstances, the picture appears to show a path to May in which a better overall view can be seen about where the club should move next.
Achieve top four and the answer appears clear and possibly even a new contract as a reward should Arteta reach it. Finish in the top six and progression would be evident but not enough yet to guarantee Arteta remains the right man for the long-term and another season would be necessary.
Fail again to qualify for Europe and the decision should make itself. To remove the manager now would again be premature considering the current state of play and the possibilities for the end of the season. In May, then we talk.
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