![Prost International [PINT]](https://prostinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/PINTtFontLogoRoboto1536x78.jpg)
Despite the Gunners enjoying an inspiring late run of form at the end of the season, Arsenal failed to secure European qualification for the first time since 1995, as they finished eighth in the Premier League and lost out to Villarreal in the semi-final of the Europa League.
Mikel Arteta and his men began their season with some extremely disappointing results, as they saw themselves lying in 15th just after Christmas, an unthinkable position for one of ‘the big six’ sides in the Premier League.
The Gunners really struggled to string any results together from August to December and consecutive losses to Aston Villa, Wolves, Spurs, Burnley and Everton all but killed Arsenal’s league season, something from which they never really fully recovered.
After Christmas however, the London club turned their form around with dramatic improvements throughout the side.
With their domestic hopes of European qualification all but gone, Arteta and his men were left to focus solely on the Europa League. European success came with relative ease, as Arsenal enjoyed second-leg success in the round of 32, the round of 16 and the quarter-final, as they brushed aside Benfica, Olympiakos and Slavia Prague to set up a tie against Villarreal in the semi-finals.
Arteta’s men were extremely unlucky to come up against their former coach and Europa League mastermind Unai Emery, who displayed just how he has now won four Europa League titles in the last eight years with a tactical masterclass over both legs against Arsenal.
The Gunners lost the first leg 2-1 and this proved enough to knock the English side out, as a 0-0 in the second-leg pushed Arsenal out of the competition and saw their European hopes for the 2021/22 season disappear with it.
The London club did enjoy some domestic success after Christmas however, as they managed to string together multiple unbeaten streaks which involved huge wins against Spurs, Leicester and a win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge for the first time in the last 10 years.
These victories amongst others, including a convincing win over Brighton on the final day, secured them eighth spot seeing them just miss out on the newly formed Europa Conference League.
There was plenty to talk about off the pitch as well towards the end of the season, as fans gathered at the Emirates to protest the way the club was being run. The complaints were all focused on billionaire owner Stan Kroenke and specifically his attempt to join the European Super League with Arsenal.
Fans staged a protest in late April, with over 3,000 supporters coming together to change the way the club is run. The fans enjoyed some success, with their protests resulting in Arsenal pulling out of the proposed Super League along with the rest of the Premier League teams involved.
The fans were also excited to see Spotify co-founder Daniel Ek state his interests in buying the club from the Kroenke’s as he supposedly begins to prepare a £1.8 billion buyout before next season.
Best signing – Gabriel Magalhaes
Arsenal’s strongest signing of the season was certainly their acquisition of Gabriel from Lille in September for just under £25 million. The centre-back was awarded Arsenal’s Player of the Month award in the first three months of the season, outshining everyone in a bleak Arsenal side struggling in the league.
The Brazilian’s season was hindered however when he caught the Coronavirus in late December. Gabriel never really managed to get a good run in the side after his unfortunate time away until the end of the season, where he played 90 minutes in all of the remaining league games, only conceding two goals in his time at the back.
Most improved player – Nicolas Pepe
Arsenal’s most improved player of the season without a doubt would have to go to their record signing, Nicolas Pepe. The 26-year-old started the season in a poor way. With goals hard to come by, the winger was forced out of the squad for the likes of Willian and Martin Odegaard.
The Ivorian forward hit his lowest point of the season when he was shown a straight red for a headbutt against Leeds, a truly crazy outburst that earned him a three-match ban.
After his red card, Pepe decided to turn his season around, as he became Arsenal’s top goalscorer in the Europa League. The forward took full advantage of his time in the starting lineup towards the end of the season as he netted five in his last three games and earned himself runner-up as Arsenal’s Player of the Season, a remarkable feat after the start of the season that he endured.
Player of the Season – Bukayo Saka
Arsenal’s Player of the Season was awarded (with no surprises) to 19-year-old Bukayo Saka. The youngster played all around the park under Arteta this season, as he featured at left-back, on the left-wing, on the right-wing and even in an attacking midfield role at one stage.
The versatility of Saka made him a pivotal player in Arsenal’s team, as he started 30/38 Premier League games this season.
With five goals and four assists in the league this season, the winger shone everywhere he played under Arteta. Saka played a crucial role in almost every attack Arsenal had this season and his work rate on the pitch was second to none, something that was recognised by England manager Gareth Southgate who called the young star up to the England squad for the Euro’s this summer.
Surprise performer – Emile Smith Rowe
Emile Smith Rowe had a breakthrough season in 2020, with the attacking midfielder being dubbed ‘The Croydon De Bruyne’.
The 20-year-old racked up 20 appearances in the Premier League for Arsenal and he completely transformed their attack in a matter of months. Smith Rowe was given his big break just after Christmas. With nobody else to turn to thanks to injuries, Arteta decided to dip into the Under 23’s and start the midfielder.
It was evident after just minutes in his first game that the midfielder was something special, as he constantly looked to pick up the ball and drive at the opposition defence on the half turn.
Smith Rowe managed his first goal contribution after just an hour as he assisted his academy teammate Bukayo Saka for a third in the game against Chelsea. Arsenal’s number 32 became a pivotal cog in Arteta’s side for the rest of the season and looks to be an integral part of his manager’s side for next season.
What’s Next?
Despite the resurgence in Arsenal’s season, it was apparent to everyone surrounding the club that their campaign was simply nowhere near good enough.
Arteta will be aiming to shoot back into Europe in the 2022 season, with some assistance from the transfer market hopefully boosting him back up into the top four.
The Gunners have already supposedly made bids for Emi Buendia as well as goalkeeper Andre Onana to bolster their squad for next year and hopefully, more will come after the Euros.
Follow us on Twitter @ProstInt
