Improvements but same mistakes

One lesson we all thought Arteta would learn from last season was squad rotation and for a period it seemed likely. But yet again it’s bit us in the backside. You know since Dubai when we started thrashing teams, there wasn’t a better time to get in squad rotation with early subs etc.
Saka at 22 has been given the responsibility to be the ‘go to’ guy. He’s a wonderful player but I don’t think in his young career he has ever seemed like the no 1 option. You also have Ode, who has also never seemed like a no 1 option. These two guys are who you need to support a true superstar player. Saka for England with Kane/Bellingham is a great example.

This is in no criticism of those two, they’re still amongst our most important players and who form the spine of the team.
Declan Rice has been a great addition, and has elevated the defensive side to levels this club hasn’t seen in decades. Saliba and Gabriel have the meanest partnership in the league. This is a very good foundation to go off. They’re still very young, which is good.

League title isn’t done but realistically it’s all over. All 3 English teams go out of Europe (Liverpool most likely too as well) in the same week. Only difference is we will be the only one without a trophy (yet again) come end of season.

The last bit, getting over the line is what this team is now struggling with. I don’t think we need much tinkering with over the summer, but Arteta and co have spent a lot of money for no silverware so far. Where will the club the draw the line?
We really do need a superstar offensive player. Could be a winger or a no 9, he needs to be the ‘go to’ guy when margins are tight. We’ve had these guys as strikers (Henry/RvP/Auba), wingers (Alexis), midfielders (Cesc/Cazorla) over the years. Whilst I like Arteta’s strategy of getting everyone involved, you still need a player like those guys.
CL is a tough competition, and where experience does matter. Bayern have players who have won this competition before, they know how to get the job done. But nonetheless it’s difficult to accept.