Eduteta : You can not unlove the chemistry that has got Arsenal plucking fruits on the Bing cherry trees

Albeit they retained the tag, they were the most vulnerable of the lot and represented the odd one, that can be easily ruled out of challenging for any major silverware.

Pending is the start of a sixth season without Champions League football at the Emirates, though the fans cared so much about getting back into the most prestigious club competition in Europe, they should know that they are not at that level yet.

Neither were they throughout the past decade. They’ve been unable to surpass the round of 16 in all those years since losing in the quarter final to Barcelona in the 2009/10 season.

Coming down to earth and starting a new project under the tutelage of Mikel Arteta, after the failed appointment of Unai Emery, the club is starting to build an identity again and alongside Edu, it is starting to take shape.

The first and second full seasons of Arteta was marred by injuries, tough luck and maybe it is just right to add the lack of proper funding but the investment last summer and in the current one has eased the pressure on the Kroenkes’ lately.

They did win the Emirates FA Cup in the Spaniard’s first six months but that is not something that can be build on as the players paraded to winning the Cup were not consistent, and Arteta only maximized the strength of the squad in the competition, which saw them finished eighth in the league that season.

It is always going to be tough for Arsenal to match the level of the big boys in so many ways. The difference in the amount of money invested by the owners of these clubs is beyond whatever prospects the KSE has shown in the past.

And lately, winning is not about just having a team but by continuous investing and being competitive. Season in and out, as teams like Manchester City, Chelsea and even Manchester United continue to spend big, it is only going to get more difficult for teams with unambitious owners.

But for Arsenal, things seemingly turned round for the good with the changes made post covid break, when Mikel Arteta and technical director Edu Gasper were shadowed the responsibility to shoulder to scouting, negotiating and finalizing deals on behalf of the club.

A year after that decision, Arsenal started to take shape and the fans started believing again. Nothing beats a manager having the freedom the choose the players he feels will fit into his system.

As said by Arteta following the signing of Portuguese midfielder, Fábio Vieira: “When I started to look at him, I said, this is the type of player that I feel represents the way I want to play and the type of player we should have.”

These little details are very important for a manager and the signings Arteta and Edu have made over that period has identified them as men obsessed with technicality.

But one of the standout factors has already make the forthcoming season one to relish for Arsenal faithfuls and that is the player profile and the caliber of teams that they have been signing in recent times.

Last summer, Arsenal signed Ben White, who was named Brighton’s best player of season and was fortunate enough to be named in England’s squad for the Euros last summer. He also featured in the Championship team of the year while with Leeds United.

A ball playing centre-back with good technical ability. His versatility has also seen him being employed as a right back and holding midfielder. His ability to beat press from the back is also another quality that makes him a top potential.

They signed Martin Ødegaard from Real Madrid. An interesting player, who has thrive at Real Sociedad but was reluctantly released by Madrid because he would not be made to wait before he start making his mark at the club, due to the presence of Luka Modric and Toni Kroos.

Ødegaard, known for his great technical ability, is a dream player for any manager. The way he glides with the ball at his feet, his deft touches, dribblings and playmaking makes him a joy to watch.

Last season, he was the focal point of Arsenal’s attack and when afforded freedom to roam, the result is always devastating on the opposing teams.

Edu and Arteta got a lot of criticism when Aaron Ramsdale was signed. Indeed, the disastrous performances of the Goalkeeper’s previous teams did not help matters.

However, even with Bournemouth and Sheffield United getting relegated, Rasmdale has always stood out amongst his teammates and was arguably the best player in those teams.

He won the Supporters’ player of the year award at Bournemouth in the only season he was played as the number one Goalkeeper and also won Sheffield United’s player of the season award in his only season at the club prior to moving to Arsenal.

And when Arsenal’s first team defenders have been available, the shape of the defence, with Ramsdale’s ability to play out from the back without fret, things has been resolute.

The Sambi Lokonga and Nuno Tavares signings haven’t started to make the expected impacts but both are players of potentials, and have been signed from Anderlecht and Benfica respectively, top teams in their respective leagues. With time, they might come good.

Takehiro Tomiyasu was signed from Bologna, not necessarily a top club but the player is top quality. It has been evidence how good he is in the one season he has spent at Arsenal.

Tomiyasu has featured in the IFFHS AFC Men’s Team of the Decade and of the year 2020. He is also a versatile player that can play anywhere across the back four.

So far this summer, the two major signings have been made from top clubs, moreso, League winners in their respective leagues.

Fabio Vieira from Porto and Gabriel Jesus from Manchester City, considering Thomas Partey was also signed from Atletico Madrid, these are profiles that suits the horse and buggy days at Arsenal.

Former players of Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, Manchester City, Chelsea, Porto, Benfica, Anderlecht, one of Asia’s best and the best player at Brighton have all been the highlight of Arsenal’s signings lately, an evidence of what is building.

Agreement has also been reached with Manchester City for Oleksandr Zinchenko, who is an international captain with Ukraine, and coming from a high profile team, moreso the premier league reigning champions, whatever, it is Edu and Arteta are telling to these guys, it is working magic.

Despite Arsenal’s shortcomings in recent times, the work put in by Edu and Mikel Arteta to lure players from top clubs deserves lots of credits and if anyone can restore the glory days back to the red side of North London, Eduteta is proving the right match for the task.

Author: Kehinde Hassan Afolabi