Arsenal
Five Reasons Why Unai Emery’s First Season in Charge of Arsenal Has to be Viewed as a Step Forward
Arsenal’s Premier League campaign ended on a high note when they picked up a 3-1 win away at Burnley on Sunday afternoon. However, it was not enough to secure Champions League qualification, as they finished the campaign in fifth place, just a single point behind rivals Tottenham. The Gunners took just a single point from their previous four matches and that disastrous run of form cost them dearly in the battle for a top four spot. Yet Unai Emery’s first season at the helm of the club must still be viewed as a strong step in the right direction for these five reasons:
An Improved Points Haul
Emery stepped into some of the biggest shoes in world football when he replaced Arsene Wenger as Arsenal manager ahead of the 2018/19 campaign. The Frenchman secured three Premier League titles and seven FA Cups during his 22-year reign, but he left the club in a sorry state. Arsenal finished the 2017/18 season with just 63 points, their lowest tally since the days of Bruce Rioch in 1996. Wenger left a weak squad littered with a number of poor players and Emery was never going to be able to turn it around at the drop of a hat.
Chaos reigned off the field in the wake of Wenger’s autocratic tenure and a new team of executives jostled for position. Arsenal ended up making some intriguing signings, but they invested less on their squad than Fulham, Leicester, West Ham and Everton, while Liverpool outspent them by a cool £100 million. To plug gaps in the squad, Arsenal had to sign the ageing Stephan Lichsteiner on a free transfer and look to teenager Matteo Guendouzi to bolster the squad. Emery was still lumbered with mediocre players like Shkodran Mustafi, Alex Iwobi, Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Granit Xhaka, and you are never going to win the league with them.
Chief executive Ivan Gazidis, the man who recruited Emery, promptly left for AC Milan. Sven Mislintat, the feted head of recruitment tasked with improving the squad, followed him out the door, while Monchi made an 11th hour about face and decided not to take the technical director role, heading back to Sevilla instead.
Yet Arsenal ended the campaign with 70 points, seven more than they managed last season. They finished one place higher and they were a lot closer to the top four this time around. Their away form improved and for the majority of the season The Emirates was a fortress. Emery has achieved progress despite having limited resources to work with, and there is every reason to think that the Gunners could kick on again next season if more of the deadwood is cleared out and the club brings in more players in the Emery mould: hardworking, tactically disciplined stars like Lucas Torreira.
A European Final to Look Forward to
Arsenal could yet return to next season’s Champions League if they manage to beat Chelsea in the Europa League final. They have grown in stature during the knockout stages of this tournament, and they did extremely well to beat both Napoli and Valencia home and away. Emery won this competition three years in a row while he was manager at Sevilla and he continues to enjoy a remarkable record in it. There have been a few bumps in the road – surprise away defeats to Rennes and BATE Borisov failed induced groans among the Arsenal faithful – but Emery has always found a way to turn things around.
The Gunners are clear underdogs among the bookmakers to win the Europa League, as shown here. However, they were even larger outsiders when they last faced Chelsea in a cup final and they ended up securing a stirring 2-1 victory against a team that had just romped to the Premier League title. Since then the Blues have taken several steps backwards, and Arsenal look more polished now than they did in 2017. They suffered a disappointing 3-2 defeat at Stamford Bridge in just the second game of Emery’s reign, but they swept Chelsea aside in a 2-0 victory at The Emirates in January and that should give them confidence. Arsenal fans should be happier with Emery than Chelsea supporters are with Maurizio Sarri, and the Spaniard has the ability to outfox his Italian counterpart in Baku on May 29.
Strong North London Derby Performances
Arsenal’s decay during late Wengerdom coincided with Tottenham’s rise to prominence under Mauricio Pochettino.
Gooners were unable to celebrate St Totteringham’s Day for the first season in two decades in 2017, and it was painful for fans to watch Spurs assemble an exciting young team while Arsenal meandered. Yet this season saw the Gunners take four points off Spurs and totally dominate both meetings between the clubs.
Emery’s men delivered a stirring performance at The Emirates in December as they surged to a 4-2 triumph. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang fired in a thunderous equaliser in the 56th minute and then two goals in three minutes from Alexandre Lacazette and Torreira led Arsenal to a fine victory. They enjoyed 60% of the possession and looked brighter, hungrier and more technically adroit throughout.
The second meeting of the season finished 1-1 at Wembley, but Arsenal can feel aggrieved by the result. Aaron Ramsey put them 1-0 up and they looked to be cruising to victory, only for Harry Kane to be awarded a penalty while in an offside position and fire in the equaliser. Aubameyang missed a penalty at the death and Spurs nicked a point, but Arsenal were very much in the ascendancy in North London derbies this season.
Tactical Flexibility
One major criticism of Wenger as things went sour in the second half of his tenure was his inflexibility. He would regularly set his team up in the same fashion, regardless of the opponent. He rarely made changes at half-time, even when things were going disastrously. Emery has been a comparative breath of fresh air in that department. He often makes bold substitutions early on in games if things are not going Arsenal’s way, and he has frequently been rewarded.
Arsenal had a better second-half record than Chelsea, Tottenham and Man Utd this season, and that is largely a result of Emery’s intuitive substitutions. He is also prepared to tinker with his formation during a game if he spots something awry. He has experimented with a number of different formations this season, but that is largely due to injuries and the personnel at his disposal. He now appears to have settled on a strike partnership of Lacazette and Aubameyang in big games and that duo can fire Arsenal to glory in Baku later this month.
A Clear Game Plan
After years of stagnation and ennui, Arsenal finally appear to have a sense of direction under Emery. He has a structured, regimented approach to individual matches and to building a team. He demands high intensity off the ball and he was not afraid to drop Mesut Ozil for large parts of the season after deciding the mercurial German was not pulling his weight. It is clear that Emery has little time for players that are unwilling to put in a shift, and that should see the club sign more tenacious players going forwards.
There are obvious hurdles that still must be overcome. Defensively the Gunners remain frail, their soft underbelly was evident as they lost four of their last seven games of the campaign and they still struggle on the road. But it is hard to blame for the large amount of individual errors committed by Mustafi, Lichtsteiner, Maitland-Niles and Xhaka this season. He inherited the weakest squad of any team in the Premier League’s so-called Big Six and he was hamstrung by a lack of backing in the transfer market. Yet he still made Arsenal competitive throughout the season.
For many years, they could not pick up victories over their direct rivals, but this season Arsenal beat Spurs, Chelsea and Man Utd. But for a mistake from Bernd Leno, they would have beaten Liverpool at The Emirates. It is great to finally have a manager that displays energy, dynamism and passion on the sidelines, and fans calling for his head after a recent draw with Brighton were prematurely mutinous. Who would go to Arsenal right now and do a markedly better job? Emery won 32 of his first 50 games in charge, while Wenger could only manage 23, while George Graham and Herbert Chapman won 27. He has taken the club forward this season and he deserves more time to close the gap on the teams above in 2019/20.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Born | San Sebastián, Spain |
| Age | 26 years old |
| Position | Defensive Midfielder |
| International Caps | 19 appearances for Spain |
| Major Honours | Euro 2024 Winner, UEFA Nations League 2023 |
| Net Worth | Estimated $10 million (2025) |
Arsenal‘s newest signing Martin Zubimendi has captured headlines for his tactical brilliance and Euro 2024 heroics, but the Spanish midfielder’s personal story reveals a grounded individual whose values and family ties have shaped his remarkable career trajectory.
Personal Life and Relationships
The 26-year-old remains notably private about his romantic life, with no confirmed information about a girlfriend or spouse as of 2025. He is currently single and has not publicly disclosed any details about personal relationships, preferring to maintain focus on his football career rather than court media attention outside the sport.
Family Background and Support System
His close relationship with his parents and siblings has always been a source of strength, providing him with a solid support system as he navigates the pressures of professional football. The midfielder’s family has been instrumental in his development, offering stability during his rise through Real Sociedad‘s youth ranks to international stardom.
Zubimendi’s decision to turn down Liverpool’s advances in summer 2024 was influenced by family considerations, demonstrating how his personal values and family bonds continue to influence major career decisions. This commitment to family has been a defining characteristic throughout his journey.
His parents, while maintaining privacy themselves, have been supportive of his career progression from his early days at Real Sociedad’s academy. The family’s Basque heritage has clearly influenced Zubimendi’s strong connection to his regional identity and club loyalty.
Career Highlights and Personal Milestones
The Making of a Professional
Zubimendi made his La Liga debut on 28 April 2019, coming on as a late substitute for Rubén Pardo in a 2–1 home win over Getafe. He has made 180 appearances for Real Sociedad in La Liga, scoring 5 goals, establishing himself as one of Europe’s most consistent defensive midfielders.
A Spanish international, Zubimendi started all five games in the 2020 Olympic Games as Spain claimed silver in Tokyo and has gone on to make 19 senior appearances for La Roja, winning the 2023 UEFA Nations League as well as helping his country defeat England 2-1 to win Euro 2024.
The Arsenal Chapter
Zubimendi joined Arsenal for a fee of €65m (£56.1m) after they negotiated a fee higher than his release clause to be able to pay in instalments. The midfielder has signed a long-term contract at the Emirates Stadium, explaining it was “the move I was looking for”.
Zubimendi also snubbed Liverpool in the summer of 2024, showing his selective approach to career moves. His decision to join Arsenal reflects both sporting ambition and personal readiness for a new challenge after years of loyalty to his hometown club.
The midfielder’s journey from a quiet San Sebastián youth to Arsenal’s marquee signing demonstrates how personal values, family support, and professional dedication can coexist. His story resonates beyond football, showing how maintaining authenticity and strong personal relationships can complement rather than hinder professional success.
As Zubimendi begins his Premier League journey, his grounded personality and strong family foundation suggest he’s well-equipped to handle the pressures of English football while remaining true to the values that shaped his remarkable rise.
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Arsenal‘s completion of the Christian Norgaard transfer (announcement imminent) represents a shrewd, if unspectacular, piece of business. The £10 million deal, with up to £2 million in add-ons, brings experience and reliability to Mikel Arteta’s midfield rebuild. While it may not excite supporters craving marquee signings, this move deserves a solid 7/10 rating for its tactical logic and financial prudence.
The Case for Christian Norgaard
The Danish captain’s Premier League pedigree cannot be questioned. With 122 appearances for Brentford since 2021, Norgaard has consistently performed at the highest level, culminating in his career-best 2024-25 season where he scored 5 goals in 34 appearances. His defensive statistics are particularly impressive – ranking third in the Premier League for tackles won (189) since his top-flight debut, averaging 2.8 per game compared to departing Thomas Partey’s 2.4.
Norgaard’s set-piece prowess adds another dimension to Arsenal’s attacking arsenal. His aerial ability and positioning at corners could prove crucial in tight games, addressing a long-standing weakness in the Gunners’ play. The 31-year-old’s leadership qualities, demonstrated through his Brentford captaincy, will be invaluable in a squad that has sometimes lacked vocal leaders in key moments.
From a tactical perspective, Norgaard fits perfectly into Arteta’s system. His ability to shield the defense while contributing in possession also makes him an ideal replacement for Jorginho’s experience. The Dane’s Premier League adaptation is already complete, eliminating the usual settling-in period that accompanies foreign imports.
The Pragmatic Concerns
However, several factors prevent this from being a higher-rated signing. At 31, Norgaard offers minimal resale value, representing a short-term solution rather than a long-term investment. His age profile contradicts Arsenal’s recent strategy of targeting younger, developing talents who can appreciate in value.
The fee structure, while reasonable, still represents significant expenditure for a player who may only contribute for 2-3 seasons. Former Arsenal defender William Gallas publicly questioned the logic of spending £10 million on a player “a year younger” than the departing Partey, highlighting concerns about the club’s transfer strategy.
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Norgaard’s goal return, while improved this season, remains modest for a player who will occupy a crucial midfield position. His discipline record – nine yellow cards and one red in 34 Premier League appearances last season – suggests he may struggle with the intensity of Arsenal’s high-pressing system.
The Verdict: Sensible but Uninspiring
This signing epitomizes Arsenal’s pragmatic approach to squad building. Norgaard provides immediate Premier League quality at a reasonable price, filling a specific tactical need without breaking the bank. His experience and leadership will prove valuable during the crucial adaptation period following Jorginho’s departure.
The 7/10 rating reflects solid, sensible recruitment rather than transformative business. While supporters may have hoped for a more exciting addition, Norgaard’s signing demonstrates Arsenal’s commitment to building a balanced squad rather than pursuing glamorous names.
In the context of Arsenal’s broader transfer strategy – which includes the £51 million signing of Martin Zubimendi – Norgaard represents the type of intelligent, low-risk addition that complements bigger investments. His role as a reliable squad player who can step up when needed makes this a thoroughly reasonable piece of business.
The real test will be whether Norgaard can maintain his Brentford form in Arsenal’s more demanding tactical system. If he adapts successfully, this signing could prove to be one of the summer’s shrewdest moves. If not, it risks becoming another expensive short-term fix in Arsenal’s ongoing midfield evolution.
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Arsenal face a contract standoff that could define their next decade. With Ethan Nwaneri’s current deal expiring in summer 2026 and negotiations stalling, the Gunners risk losing their most promising academy graduate since Bukayo Saka. The 18-year-old’s reluctance to commit amid concerns over guaranteed playing time has placed several elite clubs on red alert.
1. Losing a Generational Talent at His Peak Development Stage
Nwaneri represents the type of once-in-a-generation academy product that clubs build their future around. His breakthrough 2024-25 season demonstrated exceptional maturity beyond his years, including his first Premier League goal against Nottingham Forest in November and a memorable brace against Bolton in the Carabao Cup. The England Under-21 international’s ability to seamlessly transition between central midfield and right wing positions makes him invaluable in Mikel Arteta’s tactical system.
At 18, Nwaneri is entering the crucial phase where raw talent transforms into elite performance. His current market valuation of €55 million reflects his immense potential, but more importantly, his understanding of Arsenal’s tactical nuances and pressing systems cannot be replicated by any external signing. The young attacker’s technical ability, combined with his physical development and tactical intelligence, suggests he could become Arsenal’s next superstar.
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2. Strategic Implications for Arsenal’s Long-Term Planning
Arsenal’s entire academy philosophy centers on developing players who understand the club’s DNA from youth level. Nwaneri embodies this perfectly, having progressed through every level of the system. His departure would signal a fundamental failure in the club’s talent retention strategy and could encourage other promising youngsters to question their long-term prospects at the Emirates.
The timing is particularly damaging given Arsenal’s recent investment in youth development infrastructure. Losing Nwaneri would undermine the credibility of the pathway from academy to first team that Arteta has worked to establish. His contract situation has already created uncertainty, with reports suggesting his camp has expressed reservations about Arsenal’s plans to sign two new forwards, potentially limiting his opportunities.
3. Financial and Competitive Ramifications
From a financial perspective, allowing Nwaneri to leave would represent a catastrophic loss of asset value. The club invested significant resources in his development, and losing him for minimal compensation would be economically devastating. More critically, strengthening a direct competitor – with Chelsea reportedly circling – would compound the disaster.
Arsenal’s title ambitions depend on squad depth and tactical flexibility. Nwaneri’s versatility across multiple positions provides Arteta with crucial options during fixture congestion. His pace, creativity, and ability to press from advanced positions make him ideally suited to Arsenal’s high-intensity style. Replacing these specific attributes in the transfer market would cost significantly more than retaining him.
The Road Ahead
The club’s reluctance to sell, as confirmed by recent reports, demonstrates their recognition of Nwaneri’s importance. However, with his current deal entering its final year, time is running out to secure his long-term future.
The resolution of Nwaneri’s contract situation will serve as a litmus test for Arsenal’s ambitions. Failing to retain their brightest prospect would represent more than just losing a talented player – it would signal a failure to capitalize on years of academy investment and potentially derail the club’s long-term strategic vision. For Arsenal, keeping Nwaneri isn’t just important – it’s essential for their continued evolution as a title-contending force.
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