The task of replacing the iconic figure of Arsene Wenger after his 22 years in charge would be a daunting one regardless of the circumstances but Unai Emery’s job is rather more complicated than that. At least David Moyes was inheriting a title-winning team when Sir Alex Ferguson handed over the reins at Manchester United. Arsenal are adrift of their rivals.
The Gunners finished a distant sixth this past season, far closer in terms of points to bottom-club West Brom than champions Manchester City. Twelve behind Liverpool. Seven points shy of struggling Chelsea. As close to Everton as Tottenham. Not so much a freak season, more like a continuation of the club’s slow but steady decline under Wenger.
It will not be easy to turn that around. Arsenal require more than one or two additions to remove the weak links, they need an overhaul. This squad is not packed with top-class talent and nor is it a particularly young one either – the average age of the starting line-up during the 2017/18 Premier League season was actually older than the five teams above them.
That will have an impact on Arsenal’s ability to raise funds through player sales. It’s a real problem given the supposed ‘war chest’ figure of £50m that has been floated feels like it would barely equip the Gunners for a skirmish let alone an assault on the top four. So what exactly can Emery do about it? There are a number of issues to address.