Arsenal’s hopes for silverware in the 2024/25 season ended in disappointment after a semi-final UEFA Champions League exit to Paris Saint-Germain, confirming a fifth consecutive trophyless campaign under Mikel Arteta.

The defeat has reignited debate among supporters and pundits about Arteta’s suitability for the role, especially given the club’s significant investment in player recruitment and the lack of tangible success.

Recruitment and squad management

Since Arteta’s appointment in December 2019, Arsenal have spent over £700 million on new players, outspent only by a handful of Premier League rivals.

Despite this, the club’s transfer strategy has come under criticism. This season, the decision to prioritize defensive and midfield signings-Riccardo Calafiori and Mikel Merino-over a much-needed elite striker left Arsenal short-handed when injuries struck.

Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz, both sidelined for extended periods, forced Arteta to deploy midfielder Merino as a makeshift striker, highlighting the squad’s lack of depth up front.

Arteta himself admitted regret over injury management, notably not substituting Jesus earlier in the season.

Rotation and fatigue

Arteta’s rotation policy has also been questioned. Key players were often overused, resulting in fatigue and injuries at critical points in the season. Arsenal’s inability to see out matches-dropping 18 points from winning positions-was a recurring issue, with Arteta acknowledging the team’s struggle to maintain consistency and close out games.

Prioritization and mentality

Critics argue that Arteta’s focus on the Premier League has come at the expense of cup competitions, missing opportunities to build a winning mentality through smaller trophies. While rivals have celebrated domestic cup successes, Arsenal’s strategy has not yielded the desired breakthrough.

Achievements and perspective

Despite the criticism, Arteta guided Arsenal to an FA Cup and two Community Shields in his first two seasons, and the team has shown progress in league performance and European competitiveness. 

However, the absence of recent trophies and the club’s struggles in decisive moments have fueled calls for change.

As Arsenal look ahead, the pressure mounts on Arteta to translate investment and potential into silverware, with questions persisting about whether he is the manager to end the club’s drought.

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