The Weight of Responsibility
Victory has a thousand fathers, but defeat is an orphan. As Arsenal faces the stark reality of potentially falling short in their quest for silverware, the club’s leadership is under intense scrutiny. Mikel Arteta, the manager, and the executives Richard Garlick, Jason Ayto, Tim Lewis, and Josh Kroenke, who collectively steer the club’s direction, must shoulder the blame for the absence of a much-needed striker. The loss of Kai Havertz for the rest of the season, compounded by the previous injuries to Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus, and Gabriel Martinelli, feels like a potentially fatal blow. This has led to a blame game, with questions swirling about who should be held accountable for the club’s failure to address their front-line issues in a timely manner.
Arteta’s Frustration
Arteta’s frustration was palpable last month, after Arsenal relinquished a two-goal lead against Aston Villa. The contrast with Liverpool, who sent on Darwin Nunez in stoppage time to secure a win, was stark. Arsenal’s bench was a mix of Raheem Sterling, three senior defenders, a reserve goalkeeper, Jorginho—who is set to leave in the summer—and three young players with minimal first-team experience. Arteta’s words were clear and direct: “With the numbers we have in the squad and looking at our bench, I’m very worried. Liverpool were able to make subs to change the game. It was the opposite for us.” Despite his public statements and the mounting pressure from fans, Arteta did not force the issue, nor did he demand a specific signing. This lack of insistence, whether misguided, foolish, or simply restrained, has added to the debate about his role in the club’s current predicament.
The Fans’ Cry for a Striker
Arsenal fans had been clamoring for a new No9 for well over a year. The club’s links with Newcastle’s in-form Alexander Isak and RB Leipzig’s Slovenian striker Benjamin Sesko were well-known, and the supporters were united in their belief that a genuine top striker was essential. Instead, Arsenal waited until it was too late, making a doomed and pointless £60 million bid for Jhon Duran, who was already on his way to Saudi Arabia. Even Unai Emery, the former Arsenal manager now at Aston Villa, would have been unlikely to facilitate a deal under any circumstances, especially not in the final days of the transfer window. The club’s hesitation and indecision have left the fans dismayed and the team critically short-handed at a crucial juncture.
Internal Struggles and Leadership Changes
The internal struggles at Arsenal have been exacerbated by recent leadership changes. Last summer, after 14 years, managing director Vinai Venkatesham left the club. Richard Garlick, who joined Arsenal from the Premier League in 2021, stepped into the role but the transition meant the loss of a seasoned and astute operator. Then, in November, sporting director Edu, a former Gunners midfielder and Arteta’s key ally, unexpectedly resigned to join Nottingham Forest and Olympiakos owner Evangelos Marinakis. This left Jason Ayto, who had been part of the club for a decade, initially as a scout and later under Edu, to take on the role as an interim. However, the question remains: could an interim figure truly have the clout to push through significant transfers in the face of resistance to spending?
The Role of Tim Lewis and Josh Kroenke
Tim Lewis, who has been an advisor to owner Stan Kroenke since 2007, assumed more responsibility with his appointment as executive vice chairman in 2023. Lewis is now the "face" of the club at many meetings with rivals, both domestically and internationally. He is a smart businessman, but his role is different from that of David Dein, who was a pivotal figure during Arsene Wenger’s tenure. Dein, a lifelong fan, was not only a savvy operator but also someone who always sought to support the manager’s vision. Josh Kroenke, the son of the club’s owner, has been a key figure at Arsenal for a long time, serving as the direct line to his father. Together, Lewis and Kroenke decided against making significant moves in the transfer market, perhaps hoping to save funds for a summer splurge. However, the risk of not acting has now come to the fore, with the club’s inability to compete effectively in key matches becoming increasingly evident.
The Narrow Window of Opportunity
Chances to win the Premier League do not come every year. Often, there is a small window of opportunity that must be seized. Last season, Arsenal’s lack of a 20-goal striker was seen by many as a critical factor in their failure to clinch the title. This season, with Manchester City faltering, Chelsea, Manchester United, and Tottenham in transitional phases, and Liverpool post-Jurgen Klopp, Arsenal had a golden opportunity to bridge the gap. However, the club’s reluctance to invest in a top striker has made this opportunity much more precarious. While Arsenal still has a chance to win the Premier League or the Champions League, the odds have certainly shifted, and the fingers of blame are being pointed with increasing intensity. The decision to wait and hope has left the club in a vulnerable position, and the consequences are now all too apparent.
