Arsenal and Mikel Arteta have had hopes of finishing in the top four this season, with the young Gunners team impressing many for large periods. However, the past week has seen a severe dent put in their chances.
Back-to-back losses to both Crystal Palace and Brighton have seen the side drop to fifth, three points behind North London rivals Tottenham with one game in hand over them. However, the run looks tough, with Spurs, Manchester United, Chelsea and West Ham all still to come.
Injuries to Kieran Tierney and Thomas Partey have also hit Arteta at a poor time of the season. It means that there has had to be some shuffling in the side, with Granit Xhaka starting at left-back against the Seagulls last time out.
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This has brought up the question surrounding the club’s decision to let a number of squad players leave without signing anyone else. When asked about their lack of January action, the Spaniard said: "Edu and his team have done a great job. We are very clear we only want the best people and the best players at this club."
The thin squad was something that was topic of discussion on Gilette Soccer Saturday, with former Tottenham player Michael Dawson and ex-manager Neil Warnock having their say. Dawson said: "You look who can come on for them from the bench, maybe Nicolas Pepe and that’s it. That’s your only game changer from there."
Warnock added that the decision to move players in January has "come back to bite him", adding: "I think at the time Mikel Arteta would thought it was good to get rid of a lot of players due to the size of the squad, when they didn’t have many injuries, but it has come to bite him. Now he would’ve wished that he kept two or three of them, even if he didn’t like them or he knew he was going to get rid of them, he could’ve done it at the end of the season instead and given the team a better chance, so he it is on his own back.
"But I imagine he is happier with the dressing room, being able to get rid of one or two players because the dressing is key for a manager."
With the summer transfer window ahead, it could be the chance for Edu and Arteta to add to the squad to get them even more competitive at the top with the first-team and in their depth. Whether they can afford to remains to be seen, but it is needed to close that gap.
