The English Premier League is currently on hold due to the coronavirus pandemic but emerging reports suggests that the season won’t be ended abruptly as clubs are keen to play the remaining matches even if they will be played behind closed doors to prevent the spread of the deadly virus.
Having said that, the Gunners, who were in the 9th position before the coronavirus-enforced break, face a huge task of qualifying for next season’s Champions League as they are eight points behind Chelsea who occupy the final Champions League’s qualifying spot.
What are Mikel Arteta’s chances of qualifying his side for next season’s European showpiece and what should the manager tell his players when the season resumes in June?
We unveil the top three things the emirate stadium outfits must do to boost their chances of displacing either Chelsea from the fourth position before the end of the campaign.
1. Win, win and win
The most important message that must be passed past across from Arteta to his players should be ‘win, win, and win.’ The 2004 EPL champions managed just nine victories in 28 matches before the break, they must ensure that they pick up maximum points from most — if not all— of the remaining games.
As much as playing to the gallery will entertain the fans, the former Manchester City manager must tell his players to win at all costs even if it means playing ugliest football. They must defend when necessary and attack when needed as there is no room for errors or complacency.
2. Strikers must take their chances
Arsenal’s poor form during the first half of the season wasn’t as a result of lack of goal-scoring opportunities but because the frontline wasn’t sharp enough to convert most of their clear-cut chances. Arteta must let the strikers know the role they have to play in their desire to qualify for next season’s champions League competition.
Former Borussia Dortmund striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been a massive inspiration for the gunners but the team need more than the Gabonese star to get the job done. The club record signing Nicholas Pepe, French striker Alexander Lacazzete and youngster Gabriel Martinelli all need to up their games when the league resumes – probably in June.
3. Pray for luck
Considering the points between them and their rivals, the gunners will have to rely on a bit of luck. The team might need to pray for things to work out in their favor because qualifying for European competition looks more like an impossible mission at the moment.
