In the world of football, there is a classic saying that roughly translates to: "Arsenal never fails to disappoint when it comes to underperforming!" This description seems particularly apt for Arsenal this season, as they seem to have started dropping the ball even earlier, since they never really got their act together!
Under Arteta's guidance this season, Arsenal has been lukewarm and lacking in passion. After 17 league rounds, they have achieved a record of 9 wins, 6 draws, and 2 losses, accumulating 33 points and temporarily ranking 4th. They have already fallen 9 points behind the league leaders, Liverpool. It appears that Arsenal will once again aim for a top-four finish this season, despite the fact that Guardiola's Manchester City has faltered and Chelsea has risen impressively.
At this juncture, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta made a surprising statement, claiming that their squad is one of the weakest in the Premier League this season! Such words are truly shocking! Is this the Spanish manager trying to excuse the poor results, or is it just his level of rhetoric? It's too... too corporate!
Looking at Arsenal's current lineup, each position boasts either the best or close to the best two-player configuration in the entire Premier League. How can he say it's thin? The defense has a surplus of players, with the likes of Zinchenko, worth 30 million euros, and Kjell, worth over 20 million euros, unable to even secure a substitute spot. Sterling, earning 100,000 pounds a week, is only fit for rotation in the League Cup. Moreover, Arsenal's total wage bill ranks third in the Premier League, with only 85,000 pounds a week for Raya and 60,000 for Kjell. This is more exaggerated than Wenger's "big pot meal" approach, and there's a high probability that they'll be second next season. Is it fair for Arteta to blame the squad when he himself is not performing well and not using his players effectively?
Unfortunately, Arteta's most reliable player, Saka, has been injured. According to official news, the English international reported severe pain in his thigh muscle, leading Arsenal to fear a serious hamstring tear that would require surgery and a recovery period of over six months. Fortunately, after scans, it was determined that Saka only suffered a hamstring strain and is expected to be out for over two months. This is a huge blow for Arteta!
Arteta undoubtedly wants to bring in new players, but Arsenal's current operating model stipulates that any new signings must be preceded by sales. After selling Smith Rowe, Ramsdale, and Nketiah, Arsenal has essentially cleared out all the desirable assets in their squad that are of suitable age, have national team experience, and are popular in the market. Arteta is left feeling quite helpless!
Of course, if Arsenal still plans to support Arteta, they will make moves. After all, the management isn't foolish; the team's rejuvenation is necessary. Jorginho and Thomas, whose contracts expire in the summer of 2025, are almost certain to leave. Meanwhile, Arsenal is very interested in Brazilian forward Cunha, who has quickly risen to prominence at Wolverhampton Wanderers.
In Wolves' 2-0 victory over Manchester United, the Brazilian attacker scored directly from a corner and selflessly assisted Hwang Hee-chan's goal, contributing one goal and one assist, earning a perfect post-match rating. Cunha has 10 goals and 4 assists in 18 Premier League appearances, helping Wolves temporarily escape the relegation zone. Considering Wolves' setup and the abysmal passing and shooting skills of his teammates, Cunha's statistics are actually quite impressive.
The 25-year-old Cunha currently plays as an attacking midfielder for Wolves but can also play as a center-forward, winger, or midfielder, making him a versatile player favored by the market. In the 2023 winter transfer window, Wolves signed Cunha on a loan-to-buy deal worth 50 million euros.
Cunha has played for teams like RB Leipzig, Hertha Berlin, and Atletico Madrid in the Bundesliga and La Liga. After being honed in the Premier League, he has become one of the biggest highlights of the season. With his outstanding performances, his value has skyrocketed. Although his Transfermarkt value remains at 50 million euros, due to Wolves' relegation battle this season, if Arsenal wants to sign the Brazilian attacker, it will likely be a transaction worth hundreds of millions of euros.