4 things Arsenal learned from their pre-season tour of the US.
- Mikel Arteta insists Arsenal still need to improve in every aspect
- The Gunners narrowly missed out on the league title last season.
- And here are four things the Gunners have learned before the season begins.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said ahead of the season tour in the United States: “We want to improve everything. The decisiveness in attack, the defensive play and set pieces.”
It is clear from those words that Arteta is determined to make Arsenal stronger. After last season’s disappointing runners-up finish, and from the past three pre-season games, the Gunners have seen their strengths and weaknesses before the new season begins.
1. Timber better than you think.
There was a lot of excitement 12 months ago. When Arsenal splash out £38m to sign Timber from Ajax, but the Dutchman’s arrival in the same summer as Declan Rice has seen him largely ignored.
Timber play as an inverted full-back on the right wing in pre-season, and impress. But suffer a knee injury on the opening day of the 2023-24 campaign and was ruled out until the final game of the campaign.
However, Timber has regained full fitness this summer and play in Arsenal’s friendlies against Bournemouth and Manchester United. Before missing the final game against Liverpool as the coaching staff wanted him to rest. The former Ajax product is
capable of playing in any position across the back and will play a key role for Arsenal next season, with Timber giving Arteta more options when it comes to his squad.
2. Kai Havertz role next season
Havertz was widely criticise. Before his move from ยูฟ่าเบท https://ufabet999.app Chelsea to Arsenal last summer, and the criticism grew at the start of the season. Before the German’s rediscovery was eventually silenced. With Gabriel Jesus out
injured and Eddie Nketiah out of form, Havertz has the perfect complement to Arsenal’s attack, playing as a false nine, linking up play, holding up the ball and scoring goals. It will be
interesting to see where Arteta deploys Havertz next season once Jesus is fit.
3. Major reinforcements
The signing of Italy defender Riccardo Calafiori during a three-match tour of the United States and the move for Spain midfielder Miguel Merino from Real Sociedad are proof that Arsenal do not want to settle for second place as they did last season. To continue their winning
ways, Arsenal need better players and more competition. Which will lead to problems with players competing for places and Arteta’s challenge to manage the team properly. However, on the other
hand, it is great to see Arsenal have the strength to challenge Manchester City for the title next season.
4. Arteta challenge
In the three games in the US, Arsenal drew 1-1 with Bournemouth (won on penalties). beat Manchester United 2-1 (in 90 minutes) and lost 1-2 to Liverpool. Arteta and his coaching staff have certainly seen the strengths and weaknesses of their players since
taking over at Arsenal in 2019. Arteta has received much praise for improving the Gunners’ system of play and tactics. But he has yet to lead the team to win a major trophy.
Next season, it will Arteta’s fifth year with Arsenal. He will have to prove himself by leading the team to end the 20-year wait for a Premier League title.