There is no doubt Arsenal FC are one of the biggest clubs in the world. With 13 league titles, 13 FA cups and of course the invincible premier league season in 2003/4, their status as one of the ‘big 6’ is indisputable. However recently, the gunners have been on the decline somewhat, sitting 8th in the league this season off the back of three seasons of Europa League football starting at the end of Wenger’s reign. A lot can change in ten years, and in this article, I will detail three possibilities for Arsenal’s next ten years: decline, development or plateau?
Decline - Unfortunately this is not too much of an unlikely option for the Arsenal. Arguably, this has already happened to them during the previous decade. Arsenal finished 3rd in the 2009/10 season and consistently finished in and around 3rd for the majority of the decade. However, the switch from plateau to decline began in 2016/17 where Arsene Wenger’s side missed out on champions league football for the first time in twenty years. The following season, the gunners slipped to 6th and in the season after that, new manager Unai Emery could not inspire much difference and was sacked after a 2-1 loss to Eintracht Frankfurt in 2019. If this steady demise continues, Arsenal could find themselves in real trouble in 2030, potentially playing championship football although this of course is an extreme example. Leeds, Blackburn, Nottingham Forest and Newcastle demonstrate the all too real risk of this kind of ‘fall from grace’. The longer the gunners poor form continues, the less big players they will be able to attract thus weakening their squad and increasing the likelihood of bad results. This eventually is looking scarily possible for the North London faithful.
Development - The more optimistic gooners have faith in the new boss - Mikel Arteta, that he may have a long term plan to steer Arsenal out of their drastic situation. This depends fundamentally on how successfully the board manages the players. Useful assets such as Pierre Emerick Aubameyang must be managed carefully - achieving a fine balance between making the most of his footballing ability and selling him for a good price while he is young enough to make money. Getting a decent price for the Gabon international could help the gunners strengthen. Furthermore, players such as Pepe, Martinelli and Willock should be looked after as the roots of professional teams. The main problem the gunners need to fix in order to change their fortunes is the defence. Defending has troubled Arsenal for years now and never seem to be solved by any of their signings. If the gunners were to sign reliable and proven premier league defenders, the likes of Lewis Dunk or Nathan Ake, they may see their fortunes improve.
Plateau - What if Arsenal have found their path for the next ten years already? It is entirely plausible that Mikel Arteta’s side have found their new place in the premier league. When you compare the sides in and around mid table, Arsenal’s squad is arguably similar to these sides. A bit of stability may well be what is best for the gunners at the moment, however ten years of mid table would drive the top players away and be indescribably frustrating for the supporters.
There are plenty of unpredictable circumstances and anything could happen in ten years. This three examples are massively exaggerated and extreme scenarios that could well be very far from the truth but it is certainly interesting to explore the potential avenues. One thing is for certain, Arteta has his work cut out if he wants to avoid plateau and decline and to build foundations to raise Arsenal back to their natural position near the top.
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