Arsenal: What to do to challenge for the title next season

Shore up the backline

A problem that has plagued the later Wenger years is shoddy defending. There is no time like the present to start fixing it.

Antoine Griezmann’s goal for Atletico against Arsenal summed up the backline’s performance this season. A simple ball played over the top led to Laurent Koscielny making a mess of a clearance. A dozing Nacho Monreal played Griezmann onside, and after the first shot was parried, Shkodran Mustafi slipped, and the ball cannoned in off his knee. It was a shambles.

It was also not out of character for Arsenal this season. Mustafi has been shaky at best, making high-profile errors. He is not a center-back for a title-challenging team. Since Per Mertesacker stepped off the pitch, Arsenal has lacked leadership at the back.

Koscielny has been an excellent servant for the club, but at 32, his body has slowed down. Rob Holding and Calum Chambers have not been convincing when they have played.

The great Arsenal sides of the Premier League have been built on strong center-backs, such as Tony Adams and Sol Campbell. The current group does not instill fear in opposing forwards. Over the last few years, they have been bullied by opposing teams.

It is one of the primary positions that need an upgrade within the squad. Whoever comes in, whether they win the Europa League or not, they have to fix this. Arsenal has only conceded one goal less than Brighton and Leicester. They have conceded more than Newcastle. This needs to change.