This was a comprehensive beat-down. From start to finish, and especially in that dreadful second half, City was so much better than the Gunners that it made a top four finish for us seem like a ridiculous notion. Yes, our defense was abject, but our midfield was outplayed and our front line seldom had the opportunity to even look threatening. I don't fault the effort; the other guys were just a lot better on the day, and it's hard to argue that we looked like a squad that could finish ahead of Chelsea or United, or make a Europa League run.
Assuming that another sixth place finish is likely, where do we go from here? Lichtsteiner is practically gone already, Sokratis, Nacho, and Kos are hardly the future, and Mustafi was a mistake. Chambers is presumably coming back and Holding will heal. Mavropanos, Bielik, and other young defenders may or may not turn into the sort of quality players we hope. Bellerin will be back and he is top class. I have some hope that Kolasinac will start to get good at the defending part of his job, which is most of it. I guess Maitland-Niles is stuck in as the backup fullback, though why Jenkinson isn't starting ahead of Lichtsteiner I don't know.
If Ozil and Ramsey are leaving, we better hope that Smith-Rowe develops quickly. Guendouzi and Torreira look like as solid a pair of central mids as you'll find anywhere, and they're near the beginning of their careers. Elneny seems like a squad player at best. Xhaka can still be very effective. But creativity is lacking. I have always liked Iwobi; maybe he'll kick on and be the player so many see him capable of being. Auba and Lacazette are fantastic offensive weapons and need more regular service. Laca in particular is the sort of player every team wants, working hard at all aspects of the game, and able to do the extraordinary every few games to get a big goal. I don't know Suarez. Mkhitaryan looks like a guy who's in the twilight of his career. I hope there's a future for Welbeck here, but he's unlikely to lead our line in any big game.
Add it all up and Arsenal would need massive infusions of talent to contend for a top four spot. They're not going to get it. The top scout has been pushed out and there will be no big checks written for the transfer market. Arsenal will be fighting every year just to play in the Europa League. 10th place seems more likely than 1st for a good long while.
Bad day for Stan. His Rams looked as pathetic against the Patriots as we did earlier. Maybe more.
