Premier League: Arsenal’s 2019-20 Players of the Year

In what has turned into a disappointing campaign, Arsenal had several players who have been critical in providing their fans hope for a resurgence.

Projection is an excellent defense mechanism. It is a psychological defense mechanism that allows people to displace, or redirect, typically negative feelings they may have about one thing onto another person or object.

For fans of the Gunners, this season has been one of intense frustration and gloom. Much of the disappointment appeared to have been directed towards the team’s manager at the start of the season, Unai Emery.

If reports were to be believed, Arsenal players also had a collective feeling of dejection and despair directed towards the Spanish manager.

In late October, during a 2-2 draw in which Arsenal squandered a two-goal lead at the Emirates against Crystal Palace, the fans had a group opportunity to project their pent up disappointment at an unexpecting target.

In the 61st minute, Emery subbed out their 27-year old team captain, Granit Xhaka. As he slowly left the pitch, the supporter’s frustration rained down upon him.

The captain’s reaction to the crowd’s disapproval was also a projection of his own pent-up emotions. He thrust his arms up in the air and held up his hand to his ear, mockingly egging the thronging of jeering fans. As he walked towards the tunnel, the Swiss international walked by his coach, refusing to acknowledge him, pulling his jersey over his head in disdain.

Collective acts of projection in sports are not uncommon, but they are always symbolic.

The incident at the Emirates was emblematic of how far things had gone sideways for the elite London club. It also was the end of Xhaka wearing the captain’s armband and the start of the gloomy final chapter of Emery’s stint as manager.

Hope was renewed at the Emirates as Mikel Arteta was brought in before Christmas to try to save a ship that had already hit the iceberg.

The 38-year old “protege” of Pep Guardiola lost only one match in the Top Flight in his first ten, winning four and drawing five.

The fans, for now, have given their new manager the proverbial “honeymoon period.” He has a foundation of key players to build upon for the future and hopefully no more collective acts of projection.