As part of The Athletic’s Arsenal coverage, our club writers are always looking for new ways to engage with supporters and in this new segment, they will look through reader queries, comments and questions across our articles each week — as well as in our live match discussions and Q&As — and pick a few to discuss.
Read the views of James McNicholas, Amy Lawrence, Art de Roche and Jordan Campbell below and feel free to add your own to continue the discussion.
Below Jordan’s post-Chelsea piece on Arteta’s style, Larry D said: “As someone who watched Arsenal slap together a bunch of creators with little to no defensive resistance, this defensive fortress that Arteta has built is very welcome. But this does not absolve the front office of their contributions to the attacking wobbles, which needs to be a key point of emphasis going forward. We cannot be this reliant on Bukayo.”
James says: I agree that Arteta has built an incredibly resilient team. The organisation, structure, physicality and positional discipline he has instilled protects the team and almost guarantees a certain level of performance. It’s difficult to conceive of this Arsenal side being heavily beaten or embarrassed… hopefully I’m still saying that after the Real Madrid tie!
I think what Arsenal need now is a couple of additions who can raise the ceiling. They need difference-makers in the final third. The hierarchy are aware of that — but finding players like that who are available and attainable is a different matter. Arsenal don’t simply want more numbers; they want players who add qualities they do not have.
As for the reliance on Saka, I’m hoping the emergence of Ethan Nwaneri will help to ease the burden. Next season, I can see Nwaneri offering rotation and rest for both Saka and Martin Odegaard.
Have Arsenal become too reliant on Saka? (Jean Catuffe/Getty Images)
Under James’ match piece after the Manchester United draw, Hugh H wrote: “People talk about Arsenal needing a proper No 9 in terms of converting chances, whereas I see it as more imperative due to the flow-on effect for the rest of the team. An Isak/Sesko type would offer a greater threat in behind, plus create more space for a Kai type and Odegaard type to do more damage between the lines.”
Art says: I agree, Hugh, but also feel like there is slightly more to it too.
As you say, having someone who can probably stretch teams should help create more space for those in midfield. I also feel like the type of striker that is brought in can probably determine how those spaces between the lines are actually used. For example, Alexander Isak is extremely comfortable on the ball and is just as dangerous dribbling there as he is in the penalty area.
To James’ point in his match piece, that is probably also where recruiting players more suited to receive and create between the lines comes into play.
Below Amy’s match piece after the PSV match (which she watched from the stands), one subscriber wrote about the quarter-final matchup with Real Madrid, who beat rivals Atletico in their last-16 tie: “Real is a better matchup than Atletico because Atleti play super conservative and look to attack on the counter. These are always the type of teams Arsenal drop points to (Newcastle). Real’s strength is in their attack and Arsenal have one of the best defences in Europe. So if any team can keep Madrid out, Arsenal can.”
Amy says: The curse of the low block has been a nagging problem for Arsenal this season so, strategically at least, avoiding a Diego Simeone-style slog-fest certainly makes for a lot more excitement in the build-up to the big Champions League tie ahead.
It seems a bit ambitious to say Real Madrid are a better option given their specialism in this competition and their array of world-class forwards. But I see what you are getting at! Arsenal will certainly have to defend with immense collective effort and see if they can grab their moments to raid with intent.
Even though it could be more adventurous than a match-up with Atleti, looking at their recent results, Real are not currently in the habit of thumping opponents. They have played 13 times in the past six weeks or so, only twice has it been more comprehensive than a goal in it (if that — with a couple of draws thrown in). Their contests have been closer than their status normally demands.
During the Q&A with James on Wednesday, Joseph S asked: “How much of an impact will Andrea Berta have on this summer’s transfer policy? Are the targets likely already settled and his focus would be internal extensions and crafting policy for January 2026 and beyond?” while Alito C. added: “Is the recruitment team empowered to make decisions or can they be vetoed by the manager?”
James says: There are long-term targets established — and worked on — by the existing recruitment staff. It remains to be seen if Berta is aligned on those decisions. Even if he decides to follow the existing recruitment plan, Berta is likely to be charged with closing those deals — so he will certainly have some impact on the summer dealings.
When Edu was at the club, both he and Arteta effectively had a veto on potential signings. Had Arsenal signed Sverre Nypan in January, that would have been classed more as a ‘recruitment’ signing than a ‘manager signing’ — a signing made for the long-term benefit of the club rather than the immediate benefit of the first team.
However, these distinctions are generally overly simplistic: it’s a collaboration and decisions are largely made in concert. When we write about differing viewpoints, it is only to illustrate the degree of thought and debate that does into recruitment, and some of the internal dynamics that are at play.
Berta is set to become Arsenal’s new sporting director (David S. Bustamante/Soccrates/Getty Images)
In the comments section of David Ornstein’s Q&A on Thursday, Kennedy J said: “Martin Zubimendi looked physically weak and slow for Real Sociedad against a Manchester United midfield of Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes in the Europa League. This should be a concern for potential suitors.”
Jordan says: Athleticism has never been and never will be his strong point. Real Sociedad’s problems against United were systemic in that their 4-1-4-1 shape was continually overrun in midfield but Zubimendi was one of the main casualties of that as he had so much space and so many bodies to try to split himself between.
His off-the-ball strength is his ability to anticipate and break up play rather than cover acres of ground. If he is to join Arsenal in the summer, then the compactness of the shape should protect him better than Real Sociedad’s system.
Zubimendi is not a player who will regularly excite. He is a team player whose game is about keeping the game ticking over and providing rhythm to his team’s play. But his arrival at the Emirates would presumably mean Declan Rice being continuing exclusively at left eight rather than returning to the base of midfield.
I wrote in January that, as good as he is in that role with his ability to engage the press higher up and carry the ball forward, his attacking instincts are not yet there. Given the positions he has got into this season, his goals return should be a lot higher but there is clearly potential for that to grow.
I just remain to be convinced that it serves the collective team better with Rice as a No 8 rather than a No 6.
Arsenal need to recalibrate the balance of their team to produce more big chances. Playing Rice at the base means they can commit more men forward because he is athletically so freakishly reliable. They cannot do that with Thomas Partey, or Zubimendi if he comes. It would also open up the left eight space again to bring in more of a technical, small-space player to get that flank firing and reduce the reliance on Odegaard and Saka to create from the right.
(Top photos: Getty Images)
