Football: What is a realistic target for Unai Emery in his first season?

While most clubs are using the summer break to prepare for the new season that lies ahead, Arsenal are preparing for a new era. A certain section of Arsenal fans had been waiting for this for a long time.

Before the start of the season just gone, Arsenal Chief Executive Ivan Gazidis addressed fans and explained how finishing outside the top four had sparked a ‘catalyst for change.’ Arsenal fans were dubious about Gazidis’ statement, it was seen as more PR spin from a club that had lost touch with it’s fanbase. A justified response given the clubs recent history. However, Arsenal fans were wrong. That season Arsenal would spend £110 million on two centre forwards and make an audacious £92 million bid for Thomas Lemar.

Alas, this was not enough for Arsene Wenger to keep his job. Poor away form and ultimately fans protesting with their feet would see the end of the French mans 22-year dynasty at Arsenal Football Club.

As I write this a new culture is being born at Arsenal. Many of the coaching staff that worked alongside Arsene Wenger were shown the door to make way for wants and needs of new boss Unai Emery.

With so much change at Arsenal, what is a realistic expectation for the season to come?

Arsene Wenger reigned over Arsenal Football Club of twenty-two years. Within those twenty-two years it is a realistic assumption that players have picked up habits and routines that will be tough to break. Just ask David Moyes. Parallels can be drawn between departures of, once bitter rivals, Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger. Ferguson would retire from management in 2013, making way for fellow Scotsman David Moyes. The Scotsman, like Unai Emery, would bring in his own backroom staff. Moyes’ brief spell in charge of Manchester United would see them labour to a 7^th place finish. One of the criticism thrown towards David Moyes is he tried to change too much too fast and should have kept some of the previous structures in place before rebuilding.

However, the Manchester United squad inherited by David Moyes was not up to the necessary standard required to mount a challenge for the title. They may have won it a year early but that can be attributed to the brilliance of Sir Alex. Unai Emery, on the other hand, is inheriting a very good squad that has under achieved in recent years. Arsenal boast a frightening front pairing of Lacazette and Aubameyang. Unai has expressed his desire to be aggressive without the ball and if he can get the balance between defence and attack right there’s no reason why Arsenal fans shouldn’t be excited.

Not only has the coaching structure at Arsenal changed but also the transfer structure. Ivan Gazidis backed up his calls for a ‘catalyst for change’, bringing in Head of Recruitment Sven Mislintat, nicknamed ‘Diamond Eyes’ and former Barcelona Director Raul Sanllehi as Head of Football Relations. The new recruitment structure has bolstered Unai’s squad bringing a mix of youth and experience to address the key areas in Arsenal’s team despite only having a reported modest budget of £70 million.

Arsenal fans have genuine reason to be optimistic for the first time in years. The club had stagnated in the latter years of Wenger’s tenure. Now the club are taking positives steps under Ivan Gazidis guidance. However, it is important that Arsenal fans don’t get too ahead of themselves, although they are taking steps in the right direction… so are the teams around them. If the reported budget of £70 million is true and investment doesn’t come into the club from the owner, Arsenal will still struggle against big spending; Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United.

Arsenal’s aim for this season should be a top four finish. The lure of Champions League football is a huge incentive for players to join your club and it would be an excellent achievement if Unai Emery could bring back the big European nights to the Emirates Stadium in his first year in charge.