Amirul Zulkefli 🇲🇾

🚨 Amongst all of the Arsenal fan hysteria, it's really important to take a step back and assess the reality of the situation. Arsenal have two TOP players for every single position. The club tried to sign some stardust in attack. The ambition was there for everyone to see. Alright, Berta definitely could have handled things better because the club missed out on Rogers despite him wanting to join because of the relaxed manner in which he approached the deal, Vinicius used the club to get a better contract at Madrid (in all likelihood), Barcola never truly considered Arsenal because they didn't make him feel wanted after the public Vinicius saga with Liverpool getting ahead in the meantime, and Alvarez was a lost cause from day one because he only wanted Barca. The club were FINALLY willing to spend big bucks on a forward, but the sporting director did not deliver. That is the reality. But will that derail Arsenal's season? Certainly not. Just look at the squad… The depth is nothing short of elite in every single area (apart from Kepa behind Raya). The Konsa signing ensures the level stays the same without Saliba. The Bruno Guimarães signing along with Lewis-Skelly being used in midfield means Zubimendi and Rice can stay fresh throughout the entire season. The depth is just as good elsewhere, and I also don't buy the notion that Arsenal cannot level up in attack. We have to remember that Havertz, Ødegaard, Merino, Calafiori, and Saka were injured for LARGE periods last season. Havertz missed 41 games. Ødegaard missed 30. Merino missed 28. Calafiori missed 16. Saka missed 15. These are all CRUCIAL players for Arsenal. It meant that Eze almost exclusively had to play in the #10 when he is better on the left and Trossard + Martinelli were required to play out wide even though Arsenal are better with Eze's creative qualities on the left. Some may disagree with that, but the club have shifted Trossard and Martinelli on for good reason. We also saw how devastating Eze can be against Villa in just ONE HALF of football… The attacking dynamics were never optimal last season because of that, but we can also say the same about the midfield dynamics. Zubimendi was the #6 with Rice in the #8. Both are obviously exceptional players, but Rice is better in the #6. Arsenal's dynamism went up a level once Lewis-Skelly was shifted into midfield with Rice in the #6. Those dynamics now remain as Arsenal primarily attack in a 3-1-3-3 / 3-1-6 with both fullbacks high and the #6 + #8 managing the build-up alongside the centre backs. That means the team have more bodies high but also players in more suitable roles AND with better depth behind them… Elsewhere, Tzolis is a level above Martinelli + Trossard, Dowman is another year advanced in his development, and it is the second season of Mosquera, Hincapié, Zubimendi, Madueke, and Gyökeres who are more acclimatised now. People keep talking about how Arsenal have sold lots of forwards and only brought in one, but they moved on Trossard, Martinelli, Jesus, Nwaneri, Vieira, and Nelson. Only two of which were reliable first team players last season (Trossard + Martinelli) and as useful as they were, they were the biggest problem area in Arsenal's squad. Martinelli had his worst year on record and Trossard had a 26-game goal drought. Both were and are a level below of where Arsenal are at. And, most importantly, the only reason that they were used so much is because Havertz, Ødegaard, and Merino missed half of the season each so Eze was often forced to play inside and not wide left. Arteta only had the luxury to play Eze out there at the business end of the season (like he did versus City away). People also criticise Gyökeres and Madueke a lot but we have to remember that they suffered because of the suboptimal dynamics. The left wing was a level below where it needed to be and although Eze can play in the right-sided #10 it cramps his space to do what he does best (dribble and pass). He was reduced to a box-crashing role (see Spurs at home). Combine that with Rice in the #8 and Calafiori often not being available at left back and the dynamics were suboptimal from back to front. It was why every game felt like a slog. Now? That's not the case. Arsenal are more balanced in midfield, Eze will be used off the left, and it is up to Arteta to get the dynamics right with who he picks in the #10. But, overall, Arsenal are in a much better position than last season. The same season they won the Premier League title. And the competition is not as strong this year, either. Alright, it would have been UNBELIEVABLE to add a Rogers, a Barcola, or an Alvarez to this group, but so be it. That's life. You cannot get everything you want all the time. Plus, Arteta and Arsenal are in a position to decide to wait. They don't have to panic buy someone like Fofana who is raw and not ready for the elites yet. I, for one, expect Arsenal to retain their Premier League title. Partly because they have an elite manager, but also because they have an elite squad, better than every other Premier League team. Then, in the future, Arsenal will be in a position to sign a superstar attacker on TOP of this already incredible group which is primed to win NOW. A dynasty remains on the cards, my friends. Be calm, be grateful, soak it in, and enjoy the season ahead ✌️