A Critical Assessment of Arsenal's Stature

Many observers find Arsenal supporters' expectations disproportionate to the club's recent history. Despite speaking with the confidence of Real Madrid or Barcelona, the Gunners' achievements often align more with clubs like Ajax. Manchester City and Liverpool, in particular, boast significantly more recent success than Arsenal. Manager Mikel Arteta has secured two minor trophies during his tenure, a record that some believe doesn't warrant the high praise he receives. The team has notably finished runners-up six times, often behind City or Liverpool. Last season, despite City's inconsistencies, Arsenal failed to capitalize, even faltering against a weakened Liverpool side. Celebrating a late equalizer against City, despite being outplayed for much of the game, highlights a concerning perspective. Furthermore, Arsenal's tactical approach is frequently criticized as overly defensive and uninspiring. While clubs like Atlético Madrid employ similar methods, they seldom project an image of footballing superiority. Historically, even the "Invincibles" Arsenal team is often compared unfavorably to Manchester City's 100-point "Centurions" season. Both, however, stand distinctly apart from a Treble-winning side in terms of sheer accomplishment. Arsenal MikelArteta PremierLeague ManchesterCity Liverpool Football