The reign of Arsene Wenger inevitably divides opinion.

His dictatorship and the autonomy he holds over the club is often condemned but…

Should those who work alongside him or under his rule also share the blame?

The Arsenal backroom staff is like a local pub – occasionally you might get a few young’uns, one or two women, possibly even a family but it’s the elder residents who remain faithful and present without ever seemingly offering much to the atmosphere.

Whilst there is something to be said for loyalty and dependability, I’m sure there are a number of publicans who would gladly exchange their everyday 3 or 4 pinter for the occasional jaeger-fuelled, rowdy young group.

There are undoubtedly some very astute staff at Arsenal. However, there has often been a suggestion that the backroom has grown stale and insipid. The ins and outs of the club are often kept private but with more and more former players and previous staff airing their opinions on the running of the club, it’s clear that there is room for improvement and, possibly, a need for change.

The running of the club falls on the shoulders of Arsene Wenger.

The chief, the big kahuna, the head honcho – he is responsible for everything that goes on in the club. From scouting to training to the recruitment of players – he has a hand in it all.

Some would argue that his responsibilities are too far-reaching and that no one man can adequately fill the role in which he attempts to meet. On-going rumours about a change in structure with a possible Director of Operations (basically a limited Director of Football) continue to pester the boss.

However, looking at his performance this year in particular, there could be an argument made for someone relieving him of some of his responsibilities.

…Next, tactically speaking…

Tactically speaking

In a tactical sense, Wenger has had a mixed season.

The high-tempo’d approach to the Chelsea home game and the FA cup final, the sumptuous 5-1 demolition of West Ham away and the performances of the team in the last 10 games of the season – moving away from Wenger’s favoured formation to an alien three at the back have all demonstrated that Wenger is actually an astute tactician.

Credit should go to the players and to Wenger for acclimatising so quickly.

A number of players reiterated, what so many believed, that until the week prior to the Middlesborough game, the players had never rehearsed from this modernistic song sheet.

To get results is one thing but for the team to blend the results with a variety of exciting football and a varied attacking approach should be commended.

However, Wenger’s tactics haven’t always garnered such enthusiasm from the fans.

The Groundhog Day defeats to Bayern Munich demonstrated a continued naivety and misbelief that his players can play anyone off the park. Whilst many have criticised Mourinho for his tactics this season, it is clear that Wenger could take a leaf from his adversary’s book and encourage his players to quell their attacking desires and become a little more cynical.

Additionally, Wenger deserves condemnation for his apathetic approach towards West Brom and Crystal Palace’s direct game plans. West Brom was a particular sore point as it seemed to suggest a group of professionals that were wholly unprepared to counteract their opposition’s sole game plan despite alluding to it on several occasions prior to the match.

One would think that Assistant Manager Steve Bould must carry some of the blame for Arsenal’s incompetence at dealing with West Brom’s aerial threat that day; but we hear so little about his day-to-day duties that it’s difficult to ascertain Bould’s day-to-day responsibilities.

Furthermore, Wenger’s individual reading of the game and perhaps his own knowledge of the club’s players could be called into question.

On several occasions, Wenger misconstrued Granit Xhaka’s style of play – first declaring him an attacking player before adjudging him to be a box-to-box style player. Neither of which were correct.

Moreover, despite some exceptional performances by Rob Holding, it wasn’t until the penultimate few weeks of the season that the young English defender was granted a starting position in the team. Despite seeing both players on a regular basis, it took the Frenchman an alarmingly lengthy period of time to play them in their most comfortable positions.

Finally, questions have been asked over Wenger’s insistence on playing Ospina as a cup keeper when it is suspected that he will leave in the summer.

Although Arsenal won the FA cup, if Chelsea had overcome Arsenal following Diego Costa’s goal, there would have been a mob baying for blood. This allegiance has cost the club in the Champions League in previous seasons and almost cost the club the FA cup.

It is important for the club to resolve this issue as it has neither resulted in the second keeper staying at the club for very long, nor has it been particularly beneficial in performances or results.

…Next, performances and coaching…

Performances and coaching

One very serious issue that Arsenal must confront is the supposed lack of development amongst the senior squad.

Messers Pochettino and Conte have established themselves as exceptional coaches, developing and cultivating the talent that was already at their club rather than looking for ready-made solutions in the transfer market: Danny Rose, Kyle Walker, Eric Dier, Son Heung-min, Victor Moses and Ceasar Azpilicueta have all improved and become important players for their respective teams.

Whilst it’s difficult to analyse whether players have truly progressed or regressed without some form of speculation, it is hard not to look at Chelsea and Spurs’ improvement and wonder why so many Arsenal players continue to stagnate?

Ramsey has struggled to maintain a first-team position; Bellerin has had a major dip in form; Coquelin has regressed; Giroud has failed to add more strings to his bow; and Welbeck’s finishing has not improved.

Another concern that thankfully dissipated by the close of the season was the form of Petr Cech. Despite the upturn in his performances, there seems to be a real issue with Arsenal’s goalkeeping training regime and quite possibly with lead goalkeeping coach, Gerry Peyton.

A possible positive has been Arsenal’s improved injury record.

Although Arsenal were Cazorla-less for the entirety of the campaign, the majority of Arsenal’s first team remained injury free for much of it. Even Oxlade Chamberlain and Aaron Ramsey were available on a more regular basis.

Credit should go to the fitness department, the physio department and to Head of Performance Shad Forsythe.

…Next, recruitment…

Recruitment

In a similar vein to Arsenal’s tactical performances, preparation throughout the season has seemed to come at the cost of results.

Despite the early business achieved by Wenger, it wasn’t until late August (after the Liverpool fiasco) that Arsenal’s chief negotiator Dick Law was able to accrue the signatures of Shkrodan Mustafi and Lucas Perez.

Dick Law, like Ed Woodward at Manchester United, has really struggled to establish himself as a strong negotiator.

Over the years, he has been given the run around by several players, neglected to get a number of deals over the line and seemingly failed to find value for money in a number of purchases.

This season’s transfer dealings are a portrait of the club’s failings in microcosm.

Xhaka has been lambasted for being over-priced however, I tend to disagree with pundits on this, given his form and the rare skillset he holds.

The club fruitlessly pursued Jamie Vardy before offering him a position as a squad player, scuppering any potential deal.

The club also failed to act in an efficient manner when pursuing a central defender. With knowledge that Arsenal were drastically short in the centre-back department, they were asked to pay £35million for Mustafi.

Since then the deal has been criticised by journalists, pundits and even Barcelona director Robert Fernandez who dismissed the deal as overpriced.

Where Law maybe redeems himself somewhat is the price and the efficiency of the Rob Holding deal. He is clearly a player whom the club were interested in for a while and with young British players regularly commanding a higher fee than their foreign counterparts, the £2.5million fee for Holding deserves praise.

…Next, scouting…

Scouting

The Rob Holding transfer takes me nicely onto the scouting and youth departments of the club.

Wenger has, for the last year, been adamant that players brought up in the lower leagues can often possess qualities that a topflight player may never have had to develop.

Their fight and drive to get to the top often strengthens their resolve and mental fortitude. This was never more evident than Rob Holding’s bulging eyes and pulsing vein as he screamed in Diego Costa’s face in the FA cup final, as the youngster took the striker to task for his play acting.

This sort of mettle has been an unmined quality in recent seasons but I’m sure Wenger will be happy with how the youngster has reacted to stepping up.

Steve Rowley continues to head the scouting department with 12 scouts in the UK and several based across Europe and the Americas. One possible change in the scouting department is the promotion of Francis Cagigao, head of international recruitment, who was responsible for the signings of Cesc Fabregas, Hector Bellerin, Jose Antonio Reyes, Santi Cazorla and Alexis Sanchez amongst others. His continued success shows the benefit of continuity along with a consistency in identifying talent.

On balance it could be said that Arsenal have made steps in some areas whilst regressing in others.

With the potential of six title challengers next season, if Arsenal wish to compete they need to perfect their strengths and counteract their weaknesses.

A strong summer transfer market would go a long way in helping the club next season but changes are drastically needed, not least in the coaching department.

A director role, rumoured to be in discussion, may also aid the team in performing their jobs more adequately whilst weeding out any dead wood.