Kevin Whitcher's Arsenal Blog

Arsenal 0 Villarreal 0   Europa League Semi-Final 2nd Leg   Thursday 6th May 2021 8pm   It was a gamble that brought some short-term glory, in the shape of an FA Cup, with attendant Europa League qualification. But as the following season nears conclusion, it must now be seen as a gamble that ultimately failed. Mikel Arteta was hired on his reputation within the game, the fact that he was a less expensive hire than an established manager and presumably a very good interview. However, after steering the club to silverware, what followed has seen further decline at Arsenal, who are now in a worse position than when he joined, with the reality that they will not even take part in European football next season. If he survives the summer, it will tell fans all they need to know about the ambition of Arsenal’s owners – being in gravy train that is the Premier League is enough.   However, season tickets are going to be a tough sell, to say nothing of the more...

  Villarreal 2 Arsenal 1 Europa League Semi Final 1st Leg Thursday 29th April 2021 9pm local time The memory goes back to 2006 and a previous European semi-final against Villarreal. Although a night of triumph for Arsenal, ultimately, it shouldn't be ignored that, by and large, they stunk the place out in that 2nd   leg, offering very little and hanging on for the 0-0 that qualified them for the Champions League final in Paris. And with Mikel Arteta’s team selection yesterday evening, one could be forgiven for thinking he sought a similar result. Manchester City have demonstrated that you can achieve success without an orthodox front man, but Arsenal are not in the same league (although the European Super League may have attempted to engineer that). Arteta, not happy with Eddie Nketiah’s contribution against Everton, could have played Martinelli up front instead (one assumes Aubameyang was not fit enough to start the game). But the manager chose to do without a front man ...