By Son of Dion
January 27 2026
Dubbed one of the world’s best managers in the modern game, managing one of the best teams in world football — but when you watch Arsenal, do they really look like it? Perhaps it is a bizarre thing to say for a team four points clear at the top of the Premier League, and not only top but unbeaten in the Champions League group stage while facing strong opposition, most notably a 3–1 dismantling of last season’s Champions League runners-up last week.
This season is Arteta’s sixth in charge of the Gunners. He took over a very poor Arsenal side and managed to turn them around relatively quickly in his own manner: new tactics, new players and a new-look Arsenal, seemingly back to their old best. But what is actually there to show for it? An FA Cup? A Community Shield? “Nothing” trophies when compared to the Champions League and Premier League — competitions rivals such as Liverpool, Manchester City and Chelsea compete for annually and have won recently. While sixth-season Arteta has undoubtedly created a world-beating team, he has not delivered the trophies Arsenal fans, players and the club itself feel they deserve.
Personally, I believe Arteta should leave or potentially be sacked if nothing is won this season. After heavy spending in the summer transfer window, bringing in the number nine fans had been begging for, and being backed by the board for six seasons, there is still nothing of major note to show. Don’t get me wrong — his management of the team is second to none, creating a very hard-to-beat side that teams fear facing, often winning matches despite a lack of output from a recognised striker. However, “bottling” two league titles in the past two seasons suggests that perhaps Arteta is not fully there yet.
He is still a relatively young manager with no previous senior managerial experience, which may explain this. However, given Arsenal’s stature, they could definitely attract a world-class manager with a proven record of winning titles, even if that meant overlooking the idea of a “new” Arsenal should Arteta leave.
This argument comes from the perspective of an Arsenal side sitting top of both the Premier League and their Champions League group, but recent results may have been an eye-opener for fans and Arteta himself — a familiar feeling Arsenal have suffered in previous seasons. With Manchester City and Aston Villa both dropping points, Arsenal had the chance to go nine points clear, three wins ahead, with Liverpool, Nottingham Forest and Manchester United coming up.
A 0–0 draw against Liverpool was perhaps a result many expected, but then travelling to a poor Nottingham Forest side and drawing 0–0 again was very disappointing — no creativity and no real attacking threat up front. These results were perhaps overlooked due to a convincing 3–1 win over Inter during the week, before facing Manchester United at the Emirates on Sunday. Unbeaten at home all season, and with a new face in Michael Carrick in charge, United came off the back of a brilliant dismantling of Manchester City and defeated Arsenal 3–2.
Stunned, many Arsenal fans were left questioning whether the curse would continue for a third consecutive season. Serious questions should — and have — been asked about the ability to deliver when it matters most. What could have been a nine-point gap is now just four, with Arsenal still needing to travel to the Etihad before the end of the season. Will Arsenal lose out for a third season in a row?
Not only is this heartbreaking for fans, but Arteta’s role will come under scrutiny, as will the futures of key players. Why should so-called world-class players stay? With Real Madrid already asking questions about William Saliba, what is stopping the likes of Gabriel, Timber and Rice from deciding their time is up?
Transfers
Andrea Berta’s appointment as Arsenal’s new Director of Football brought excitement among fans. Previously responsible for Atlético Madrid’s recruitment, he arrived with ideas on how to transform Arsenal’s squad.
First came Kepa Arrizabalaga from Chelsea — £5 million for what was once the world’s most expensive goalkeeper, now serving as back-up to David Raya. A very solid transfer.
Next was Nørgaard, Brentford’s captain: Premier League experience and happy to act as a squad player in Arsenal’s midfield for a £10 million fee. Again, a smart signing — a mentor for younger players and a replacement for the departing Jorginho.
Soon after, Christian Mosquera of Valencia joined the Gunners. The young Spanish centre-back arrived off the back of an eye-catching breakout season and, for a reported £13 million, looks a bargain in today’s market. He is already proving a worthy back-up to what many consider the best centre-back pairing in the world.
Zubimendi followed — reportedly agreed earlier in the year — a deep-lying midfielder allowing Rice to move further forward, replacing Thomas Partey, who departed amid ongoing legal concerns.
Then came Madueke, a winger signed from Chelsea for around £50 million. Once regarded as a wonderkid at PSV, he failed to ignite his Chelsea career. Many fans were frustrated by the fee, given Arsenal already had Saka and Nwaneri on the right wing. A large portion of the budget was spent on a player unlikely to start consistently — a concern proven by his limited run of games and continued search for his first Premier League goal.
Finally, Gyökeres arrived. A striker reportedly willing to sacrifice personal terms to force a move to Arsenal after scoring 68 goals in two seasons for Sporting. On paper, he looked like the missing link — a true number nine, something Arsenal had lacked with makeshift options such as Havertz and Merino.
However, his career history raises questions. From failing to establish himself at Brighton, to an underwhelming loan at Swansea and a modest spell at St Pauli, Gyökeres only truly found form at Coventry before his move to Sporting. This fuelled doubts about whether his success would translate to the Premier League, with critics pointing to the Portuguese league’s lower overall standard.
Despite the excitement, Gyökeres was not Arsenal’s first choice, with Šeško previously targeted. That move failed, and Šeško instead joined Manchester United. Neither striker has fully delivered so far this season, with Šeško scoring four league goals and Gyökeres five — hardly title-winning numbers. While Gyökeres offers physical presence and intelligent movement to break down defences, his goalscoring record so far does not back up his reputation, which may explain Arsenal’s recent 0–0 draws and defeats.
Eze is a player most Arsenal fans would agree they admire. He joined off the back of his best season yet at Crystal Palace for a reported £70 million. Initially linked with Spurs, Arsenal were said to have “hijacked” the deal, much to fans’ relief.
Signed as a winger, his arrival raised questions given Martinelli and a newly contracted Trossard were already options. This suggests Eze may have been something of a panic buy — a player Arsenal admired, but without a clear plan. Arteta soon appeared to realise he was less effective out wide, but with Ødegaard injured, Eze’s move into midfield proved inspired, most notably his hat-trick in the North London derby.
Since Ødegaard’s return, however, Eze has found minutes harder to come by. Ødegaard’s form since returning from injury has been inconsistent, yet his captaincy and hierarchy within the squad make him difficult to drop. This raises a genuine question: should Eze replace an out-of-form Ødegaard?
Finally, Hincapié arrived on loan — a well-known name after playing a key role in Xabi Alonso’s historic unbeaten Bayer Leverkusen side. A threat from set pieces and a solid, versatile defender capable of covering at centre-back or left-back, he has already featured regularly. Another quality addition.
To conclude, I want to touch briefly on myself. I am a lifelong Arsenal fan thanks to my dad (Céline Dion), and despite living in Exeter for most of my life, getting to see Arsenal in person remains a dream. Paying Now TV every weekend just to watch us score from corners makes it almost worth it, followed by trips to the pub for TNT Sports — an expensive commitment, but one I wouldn’t change.
This year, I’ll be watching Arsenal either win the league or throw it away from a sports bar somewhere in Australia. I won’t experience it properly, but if we do win it, the joy will make it worthwhile.
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Discussion started by Arsenal Times , 27/01/2026 21:40
Arsenal Times
27/01/2026 21:40
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Boston Gooner
27/01/2026 21:48
Hincapié is poor.
"𝗜𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁. 𝗜𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱, 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴."
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