Five years later, the outlook on this team has remained unchanged. Let me clear the air: Arsenal have improved. They are a better team with better players, and they play a more sophisticated brand of football. However, the expectations around the club consistently clash with the reality of the club. Over the last two years, it seemed like the title was theirs to lose, yet they have nothing to show for it. Conversations in the football world are beginning to suggest that it may be time to reassess Mikel Arteta, and I am inclined to agree.

There is no doubt that Mikel Arteta is a capable manager and a tactical disciple of the great Pep Guardiola. But Arsenal are reaching a point where their squad has arguably outgrown their manager. From Bukayo Saka to Martin Ødegaard, William Saliba to Gabriel Magalhães, Arsenal possess star power all across the pitch—players who can compete with the best in the world on any given day. The real issue is how they play as a team, not the quality of the individual players.