Arsenal’s convincing win over Manchester United at Emirates Stadium was another sign of the increasing maturity from Mikel Arteta’s side. The Gunners had lost three consecutive games in the Premier League to Brighton, Crystal Palace and Southampton, but bounced back on Wednesday night with an impressive win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
There was a collective feeling amongst those inside the stadium that United were there for the taking following a dismal season which has seen interim manager Ralph Rangnick claim that the team need “open heart surgery” this summer.
Arteta has built a team with the youngest average age in the league and continues to surpass expectations, although it should also be reminded that the Gunners spent £150million on six new signings last summer - more than any other team in Europe.
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football.london understands that Arsenal will look to sign at least two new players this summer, confirmation of which came from technical director Edu in a pre-match interview with ESPN Brasil.
It’s understood that the Brazilian also briefed the journalists that he did not want to address rumours concerning Manchester City forward Gabriel Jesus who will be targeted by Arsenal this summer over a permanent move. Whilst Jesus could be Arsenal’s saviour next season, they will continue to focus on nurturing and developing the next generation of talent in north London.
Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe were the stars of the show on Saturday afternoon, as Mohamed Elneny and Granit Xhaka put in impressive displays at the heart of midfield. Xhaka’s bouncebackability - a phrase famously coined by former manager Arsene Wenger - is certainly something to behold.
He recently stated that he wants to build a connection with the supporters who once booed him off the pitch against Crystal Palace, and it feels like that connection is now as strong as it has ever been. Arteta’s side have now scored 10 goals from outside the box this season, more than in the two previous seasons put together.
Their record at conceding from set pieces is also up there as one of the best in the league and is testament to set piece coach Nicolas Jover and the work that he's put in over the past few months.
Arsenal are by no means perfect and their tendency to leak goals and show momentary lapses of concentration remains, but what they do possess is a collective togetherness and belief that can take them to the Champions League next season.
Five cup finals remain for Arteta's plucky team.
