The current transfer window has started on a promising note for Arsenal fans. Willian, the experienced Brazilian, has committed to a three year deal. There are signs that club captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is on the verge of signing a three year contract extension at the club.
A host of transfer targets are also being pursued at this moment, with Lille central defender Gabriel Magalhaes and Atletico Madrid midfielder Thomas Partey dominating the headlines.
The past couple of weeks have seen some restructuring in certain departments of the club, culminating in the departure of the former Head of Football, Raul Sanellhi. Fans of arsenal will however be interested in what form of overhaul is carried out in the playing body. There is no doubt that there is the need for more quality to be added if the club is to compete with the other teams in the league, considering the investments they are making.
However, there seem to be unanimity across board that in Mikel Arteta, Arsenal already have a foundation of success on which they can build.
He has found a way to bring everybody around into believing in the project he is embarking upon. “One of the reasons I wanted a three-year deal was to be part of a plan, not just a player passing through. When I talked with the manager he told me why he needed me for three years. It was that he first wanted to qualify for the Champions League and win it by the time I left. That was what I wanted to hear.
“I was at Chelsea for seven years and won everything except the Champions League. Hopefully this move will give me the trophy I haven’t got as well as another Premier League title.” – This was what Willian had to say in an interview with The Sun after signing his contract.
We have also seen how the likes Granit Xhaka has been reintegrated into the team after his was almost let go in January. All of a sudden, there is an air of optimism around the Emirates. Mikel Arteta has brought a new work ethic that was lacking in the recent past. There is clear plan on what he is trying to do, how he wants to play and what he seeks to achieve.
Most impressively is how he has found a way to adapt after realizing the limitations of his squad, as evidenced by their run to the FA Cup title. That suggests that given the time and resources, Arteta can make Arsenal compete again.
