Arsenal 2021-22 Season Review: Failing To Secure A Top Four Place, Best Players And What Lies Ahead | OneFootball

Arsenal have ended their campaign on a high this Premier League season with an astonishing 5-1 victory over Everton in their final fixture. What seemed to be a satisfactory last match up turned out to be a futile exercise as they failed to secure a top-four place in the Premier League that rids them of their Champions League dream.

Mikel Arteta and his squad have finished strong but have failed to live up to the expectations. Securing a Champions League place will still remain a distant goal.

Arsenal 2021-22 Season Review: Failing To Secure A Top Four Place

Mikel Arteta’s men failed to start strong at the beginning of the season in the first few fixtures. However, they bounced back during the mid-games as they secured more points than any of the teams barring Manchester City and Liverpool, proving that Arteta’s fairly young starting eleven could go on to do wonders with enough experience.

Most of the players in the side at Emirates stadium averaged below 24 and finishing in the top five deserves some credit if not an appraisal. Factoring in the average age of the squad and looking into the injury concerns throughout the season, with the likes of Kieran Tierney, Thomas Partey and Takehiro Tomiyasu who remained sidelined for half of their campaign, it is a great deal to still finish in the top five and that too above the likes of Manchester United.

LONDON, ENGLAND – MAY 22: Bukayo Saka of Arsenal is challenged by Donny van de Beek of Everton during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Everton at Emirates Stadium on May 22, 2022, in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images). The 4th Official uses images provided by the following image agency: Getty Images (https://www.gettyimages.de/) and Imago Images (https://www.imago-images.de/).

They were knocked out of the FA Cup in the third round against Nottingham Forest losing 1-0. The Gunners lost to Liverpool thereafter in the EFL Cup semifinal with an aggregate score of 2-0. Eyeing for the top four places in the Premier League, the Gunners gave Spurs a tough competition until the end of the season but fell short of two points. However, a top tier finish means they’re bound for Europa League next season.

Best Players Of Arsenal In The 2021-22 Campaign

Bukayo Saka

The English midfielder ended the season with 12 goals and 7 assists to his name in 42 appearances for Arsenal, across all fronts. Saka has stepped up for the Gunners and the 20-year-old has been a key man in Arteta’s starting XI this season. The supporters can expect that the youngster will go on to give astounding performances in the upcoming season as well.

Emile Smith-Rowe

Another young English midfielder has proved to be a talented individual at the frontline for the Gunners this season, after scoring 12 goals and creating 2 assists over 37 appearances across all fronts. He has averaged 1.2 shots, and 0.8 dribbles and has completed 87.9% of his attempted passes to showcase his talents on the pitch.

Martin Odegaard

The Norwegian playmaker has gone to great heights after managing to establish himself as a keyman in Mikel Arteta’s frontline. He has proven to be a successful signing from Real Madrid, as he evidently banged in 7 goals and secured 5 assists in 40 matches this term on all fronts.

Stats via Whoscored

What’s Next For Arsenal?

Having spent £120m net for this season in the transfer window, the Gunners find themselves in the same position yet again as it is vital for them to add more depth to the squad in the upcoming transfer window. Pierre-Emerick Aubemeyang’s exit has left a void in the final third which requires immediate attention.

Mikel Arteta has done a decent job at managing a young squad. Aaron Ramsdale was by far the best signing for Arsenal as they ground out a top tier finish.

For the upcoming season, Arteta and his men would look to bring home the UEFA Europa League Trophy and would also be on the run for a top-four finish eyeing a Champions League place. The Gunners require a good summer with the right signings and a positive start in the next season.