PSG Showdown Could Define Arteta’s Era !

Mikel Arteta’s Era at Arsenal has been a journey of reconstruction. From inheriting a side in the Premier League’s bottom half to guiding them to their first Champions League semi-final in 16 years, the path has been anything but straightforward, often involving apparent steps backward to move forward. The upcoming second leg against Paris Saint-Germain is more than just a chance to reach the final; it could be a defining moment in assessing the trajectory of Arteta’s project.

The emphatic two-legged victory over European giants Real Madrid in the quarter-finals, spearheaded by Declan Rice’s standout performances and a generally solid defence, felt like a significant breakthrough. However, a 1-0 first-leg defeat at home to PSG has tempered that optimism. Now, Arsenal must conjure a historic performance in Paris to overturn the deficit. Failure to do so will lead to scrutiny, with the manner of their potential exit – whether a narrow loss or a clear defeat – shaping the immediate verdict on their European campaign.

Beyond this tie, broader questions loom about Arsenal’s progress under Arteta. Has the team’s development stalled, or are they still on an upward curve, albeit an uneven one? For several years, European success seemed a secondary goal to domestic dominance. The primary aim appeared to be a first Premier League title since 2004, especially after finishing second last season following significant progress from eighth and fifth-place finishes in preceding years.

This season, however, the pursuit of incremental improvements in the league seems to have faltered. While a top-four finish is likely, Arsenal could finish third in what was largely a two-horse race for much of the campaign. Currently 15 points behind champions Liverpool, it’s difficult to attribute this gap solely to misfortune with injuries or contentious refereeing decisions, though the club has faced both. More damningly, Arsenal are on course for their lowest points tally and fewest goals scored in three seasons. A concerning pattern of dropping 21 points from winning positions points to a lack of ruthlessness that Arteta highly values. Arteta’s Era also trolled for bottling many titles as well.

Domestically, player development has been mixed. Jurriën Timber has impressed after an injury-hit debut season, and youngsters Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri show promise. Mikel Merino has proven a useful, if makeshift, striker after being signed as a midfielder.¹ However, many established players like Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhães, David Raya, Thomas Partey, and Rice, while showing good form in spells (some interrupted by injury), haven’t collectively pushed the team to a consistently new level in the league.

Thus, the team once seen as heirs apparent to Manchester City’s domestic crown found themselves bypassed by Arne Slot’s Liverpool, who capitalized on what Slot termed an “off-year” for Pep Guardiola’s side.

All this domestic disappointment could be rendered a footnote if Arsenal conquer Europe. Winning the Champions League would be an undeniable triumph. Even falling short but showing clear signs of continued European growth for future campaigns would offer significant mitigation. Arteta’s squad is relatively young, and astute summer additions, particularly a clinical striker, could provide the missing edge.

However, history offers cautionary tales. Mauricio Pochettino’s talented Tottenham side reached a Champions League final but ultimately peaked without major silverware, that final proving to be an end rather than a stepping stone. In this Arteta’s Era,  only major trophy being the 2020 FA Cup, won with a different core group, there’s a risk this current Arsenal iteration could be remembered as one of the Premier League’s finest teams not to secure a major title.

The question remains: is this season a temporary blip, or a sign of regression from the consistent excellence required of champions? While their defensive solidity and ability to perform on big European nights – as seen against Real Madrid – suggest they are well-equipped for knockout football, Arsenal now need another monumental effort against PSG. The outcome will not only determine their place in the final but also significantly shape the narrative of their progress under Arteta.