Unai Emery’s first domestic season as Arsenal head coach has come to a close so what did we learn?
1Nobody is really sure what Unai Emery is doing
Emery seemed to land with a very clear plan of how he wanted this side to play. Pressing, passion and intensity were the order of the day but he seemed to lose his way over the course of the season as he tinkered from game-to-game.
2Arsenal aren’t good enough for the Champions League
I know the financial benefits of getting into the Champions League should give us the money to buy better players, therefore making us worthy of being in the Champions League but seriously….who really thinks we won’t end up losing 10-2 to Bayern Munich next season?
There’s less glory in the Europa League but I’ve enjoyed being one of the tournament’s favourites instead of the Champions League’s BATE Borisov.
3Officials in the Premier League have a rare eyesight disorder that stops them seeing Alexandre Lacazette being fouled, especially in the box
I’m 43 and have been attending football matches with regularity since I was four-years-old. Admittedly, my memories from those early days are a bit sketchy, but I can’t remember ever seeing a player fouled in the box yet ignored as much as Alexandre Lacazette this season.
4Tottenham are better than Arsenal
It was easy to dismiss the first season they finished above us and the second but this year, what with that lot fluking their way to the Champions League final when they should have ent out in the group stages, it’s hard to deny that our noisy, trophyless neighbours are a better side.
That being said, they are still only one point ahead of us in the league and they are at the peak of their powers while we are the worst we’ve been for some time.
If you need tips on how to live in a world where Tottenham are better than Arsenal, we’ve got you covered.
5Defensively, we suck (@ir2012)
This isn’t exactly new information – we’ve sucked at the back for some time now – but it was hoped that a new manager and coaching set-up would rectify the problem. It hasn’t. If anything, it’s got worse.
6Wenger was a problem but he certainly wasn’t the only one (@durrellb)
When a manager has been at a club for as long as Arsene Wenger and has been allowed such total control, it’s easy to think that he is the sole reason for all your problems. While the more rational amongst us knew this wasn’t true, I think we still expected things to improve more than they have simply when he left.
7Some other things we’ve learned from the people of Twitter:
Unai is an overthinker, I like the intensity he puts in but he overthinks simple games & fucks it up big time.
Plus, it's just me but I think any manager succeeding someone like Wenger or SAF should keep their philosophy intact, should play the arsenal-way.— Ansh Ravindra Mishra (@AnshRavindra) May 12, 2019
— Munawwar (@GunnerArchitect) May 12, 2019
I've learnt that there's a lot to learn about this manager and squad! How do we play fantastic football in Europe and piss poor in the league when it matters? How can we trounce Valencia and perform so weakly against Palace and Brighton? Anyway, onto the #8goalswing
— From Dial Square to Where (@fromdialsquare) May 12, 2019
https://twitter.com/afchamza/status/1127512503699890178
That we’re shite
— Trevor Dempster (@tsdempster) May 12, 2019
1. Pragmatic in big games (especially away).
2. Handled a badly unbalanced squad well throughout the season (injuries to key players did not help as well)
3. Players look fitter and much more astute tactically.
4. Away form a big worry, lots still to be done in defensively.— Raksharth Mulasi (@Raksharth) May 12, 2019
The squad lacks quality in most areas – Emery's tactical approach is sometimes undeliverable by current squad. He likes but struggles with Özil. Wants to play Auba & Laca despite his deprooted preference for 1 up top. We could spend £250million & still be miles behind City.
— Thehoselrocketeer (@hoselrocketeer) May 12, 2019