Arsenal are currently in a Premier League title race with Manchester City and a former gunners star that was hated at the Emirates Stadium has opened up about this.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - APRIL 26: Rob Holding of Arsenal celebrates after scoring the team's first goal during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Arsenal FC at Etihad Stadium on April 26, 2023 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Former Arsenal centre back Shkodran Mustafi has opened up on why he believes the Gunners have already won something even if they lose the Premier League title to Manchester City. Mustafi, who suffered a lot of abuse in the past while he was at Arsenal and was one of the most hated players in that period, spoke to Sky Germany about his views on Arsenal’s current situation.
According to Mustafi, Arsenal’s positive development under Arteta is almost more important than winning the league just once and then not being able to build on it, like Leicester City did after winning the title in 2016. He believes that Arsenal have already won a title in which they play in the Champions League again next year because that’s where the club belongs.
LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 23: Shkodran Mustafi of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Everton FC at Emirates Stadium on February 23, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
“I think Arsenal have already won a title in which they play in the Champions League again next year because that’s where the club belongs.” Mustafi told Sky Germany.
“Of course, Arsenal want to win the league after a season like the current one. But the goal will be to play at the top for the next few years and not just win the Premier League once.”
Arsenal are currently second on the Premier League table with 75 points after 33 games but are closely following first placed Manchester City which has 76 points plus two games in hand. They are definitely in a title race and could still win it this season. However, Mustafi thinks that their goal should be to play at the top for the next few years and not just win the Premier League once.
Mustafi also pointed out that Arsenal haven’t played in the Champions League since Arsene Wenger left the club. This is a big deal for a club like Arsenal, who have a rich history of playing at Europe’s top table. Playing in the Champions League is not only important for financial reasons but also for attracting top players to join the club.
LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 21: Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Southampton FC at Emirates Stadium on April 21, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Under Arteta, Arsenal have made significant progress both on and off the pitch. The Spaniard has brought stability to a club that was struggling under Unai Emery. He has also improved their defensive record and made them more competitive against big teams.
In conclusion, while winning titles is important for any football club, Mustafi believes that playing in Europe’s top competition is equally important for a club like Arsenal. The Gunners have already won something by securing their place in the Champions League next season. However, they should aim to play at the top for the next few years and not just win the Premier League once.
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Mustafi is wrong about the title being less important than returning to the Champions' League. Yes, returning to the top European competition is important, but finishing top four this season, title or not title, is not a gauranteee Arsenal will finish in the top four next season.
Critically, like Leicester in ther 2015/16 Premier League winning season (where Arsenal finished second), the Foxes run to the title was aided by a number of clubs having off years. Liverpool were 8th, Chelsea 10th, Man U were 4th and Man City 4th. The same is true this season. Liverpool had a miserable start to their campaign, and Chelsea's new owner spends money, but couldn't buy a clue with a hundred billion dollars. United made another manager change, which seems to have the Red Devils on the right track at last, while Newcastle, flush with Saudi cash, have made themselves a team to fear. Tottenham is sliding - it looks like an ignominious, titleless end to the Kane era for Spurs, but they other North London club are still potent adversaries.
What this means is, next year's title race is like to be more competetive than this one. Since November, it has been essentially a two-club contest. Nest year an imporved Man U, a well-stocked Man City, A resurgent Liverpool, Arsenal, and a Chelsea team with Mauricio Pochettino at the helm are likely to make the path to Premier League Glory more difficult to navigate.
Plus, Arsenal are now at that most difficult of places for an improving team - Very good, not-yet-great. The Gunners have spent big, but not on established, top-class players. Now, to get players better than the ones already in the team, Arsenal have to shop in the 'elite' bin where bargains like Aaron Ramsdale, Kieran Tierney, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Fabio Vieira, Leandro Trossard, and Jorginho, are hard to come by.
It will be an interesting summer window for Arsenal. Will they go for the big fish - Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham, Dusan Vlahovic, and Moises Caicedo? Will they go bargain hunting? Will they shop for established players or stick with buying young players with potential?
And most importantly, will they be shoppoing as Premier League Champions looking to defend their title or as also-rans trying to stay in the top four against a horde of hungry challengers.