September is make or break for Arteta...what does he need to do to right the ship?

Bukayo Saka is one of Arsenal's best hopes this season.

September is make or break for Arteta...what does he need to do to right the ship?

Mikel Arteta has already lost the confidence of a large portion of the Arsenal fan base.
Despite the best attempts of the Arsenal faithful, the lack of precise planning, direction, or even signs of improvement has seriously hurt the Spaniard’s credibility as a long-term answer to their ever-growing list of problems.
Despite this, the board has stuck by Arteta, choosing not to sack him despite a quite appalling start to the season.
Possible replacements are few and far between, as shown by the trouble Crystal Palace, Wolves, Spurs, and Everton had finding managers this summer.
Arsenal take on Norwich, Burnley, and Tottenham this month and AFC Wimbledon in the EFL Cup.
The Gunners really need to get a minimum of seven points from those three league games and avoid a cup shock against the inspirational South Londoners in the cup.
But what does Arteta need to do to save this sinking ship?

Decide on the strongest Arsenal attack.

Arteta hasn’t had a settled front line since the day he joined the club.
He’s struggled to get the best out of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette.
He’s brought through Emile Smith Rowe just to sign Martin Ødegaard while also appearing as if he has no intention of playing two attacking midfielders.
In Bukayo Saka and Pepe, Arsenal also have two talented wingers.
However, he signed Willian last season and has often opted to play Saka at wing-back instead of in a front line where he could be a difference-maker.
In short, it’s all a bit of a mess up top at the moment, and despite the jokes and memes made about Arsenal’s defence, it wasn’t necessarily the back four or goalie who let the club down last season.
The best option depends on if Arteta can see Aubameyang getting back into his best form.
If he can, play him down the middle with Saka and Pepe on either side of him.
If not, Arsenal could do a lot worse than play Lacazette through the middle instead.
While many would prefer Smith Rowe and Ødegaard to play in a midfield three behind them, if you can only play one, play Smith Rowe as a ten.

Granit Xhaka was linked with a move to Roma all summer. 

Drop Xhaka

There's no vendetta against Granit Xhaka. He’s a decent player.
He brings something to the squad and is respected by managers past and present.
However, the point remains that he is not good enough to start for Arsenal and does not have the mobility or the temperament to play in the Premier League.
He’s disrespected the fans in the past.
He seemed set and happy to leave this summer.
He’s more than capable of performing at a world-class level, as shown by his games for Switzerland at this summer’s European Championships.
But he is also capable of costing Arsenal at least three games a season through his reckless decision-making and silly errors.

Keep bringing through young players.

Saka and Smith Rowe have carried Arsenal for the last 12 months.
They’ve offered Arsenal something different, and despite a severe lack of good, experienced professionals at the club, they have progressed to become two of the hottest prospects in Europe.
Saka was England’s star at the Euros this summer, taking the tournament by the scruff of the neck and cementing himself as a star of the future.
Now, Arteta must continue to bring through high-quality young players.
Smith Rowe’s inclusion in the starting 11 last season symbolised a change in the club’s fortunes.
Arsenal may need something similar from their young players if they are to avoid disaster this season.

Win the games they are expected to win

Arsenal fans are often treated disrespectfully by pundits and journalists alike.
While the team often make a rode for their own back, accusations of arrogance or wanting too much have been thrown at the fanbase over the last decade are wide of the mark.
Instead, Gunners fans just want their club to be run competently and for the team to give 100 percent.
With the money the club has spent this summer and Arsenal's historic achievements, the Gunners should be expecting to beat sides like Burnley and Norwich while picking up a draw against Spurs.
Arsenal fans aren’t necessarily expecting to beat Manchester City or Chelsea, or Liverpool anymore.
They just want the team to give their all and get the results we need against teams with far fewer resources.

Photo Credit: Getty Images 

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