“Nightmare for Arsenal” – Journalist now issues worrying Gunners verdict involving Mikel Arteta

“Nightmare for Arsenal” – Journalist now issues worrying Gunners verdict involving Mikel Arteta

According to transfer insider Dean Jones, Arsenal’s failure to qualify for the Champions League is a “nightmare.”

Mikel Arteta’s club appeared to be on track to finish in the top four for the first time since 2015-2016, but a disappointing finish saw Tottenham edge them out on the final day.

Arteta appeared to have finally cracked it and gotten Arsenal back into the big time after two eighth-place finishes, their worst in more than 20 years in the Premier League era.

Despite losing three games in a row at the start of April, the north London club had won four in a row to move within one win of the Champions League.

Beating Tottenham would have been enough to re-enter Europe’s premier competition, and even if they lost 3-0, maximum points from their remaining two games would have secured fourth place.

However, defeat to Newcastle in their penultimate game shifted the balance back in their favour, and despite Arsenal’s thrashing of Everton on Sunday, the Gunners fell two points short.

Arsenal were the only team in the top six without European competition this season, which is why Jones called their failed top-four bid as a “nightmare.”

He told GIVEMESPORT: “It’s a nightmare for Arsenal to not finish in the top four, because this was their chance this season with no European football.

“They had a clear run at finishing as high as they can in the league, and to still fall short when this has been their full focus, it’s a bit of a nightmare.”

Before the season began, few would have predicted Arsenal would finish fifth, so it’s been a positive nine months for the Gunners, especially after two eighth-place finishes.

However, as Jones referred to, having been the highest spenders in the Premier League while playing only once a week for the bulk of the season, Arteta’s players appear to have squandered an opportunity.

Even without Champions League football, Arsenal has attracted great players in the past, such Alexandre Lacazette, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, and Thomas Partey, which should give fans hope for next season.

However, after three years of coming fourth, this summer feels like a watershed moment in Arteta’s tenure.

ALSO READ:

•  Jorginho’s Arsenal future under threat as £12m signing ‘offered reunion with former boss’ in shock transfer
•  Liverpool News: Alexis Mac Allister Transfer Sealed, Plus Another Reds Deal Confirmed
• Declan Rice has already played his last game for club as exit confirmed by West Ham owners
• Man Utd flop makes XI Saudi team of the season as Cristiano Ronaldo brutally snubbed
• David Beckham’s Inter Miami eye move for Man Utd flop to join Lionel Messi
• Mateo Kovacic confirms he is set to leave Chelsea this summer

“Nightmare for Arsenal” – Journalist now issues worrying Gunners verdict involving Mikel Arteta