The Arsenal Dilemma: Will They Make It to the Champions League Next Season?

As the 2017/2018 season progresses, the question on everyone's lips is: can Arsenal secure a place in the Champions League next year? The bookies currently favor Royal Madrid (Spurs) with odds of 9:4 against, while Arsenal's odds are 7:2 in their favor. However, this could change dramatically depending on the results of the upcoming clash with Tottenham on Thursday night.

50-50 Odds

Currently, it's a 50-50 chance, considering that Arsenal has four points on Tottenham. However, Tottenham's upcoming fixtures against Leeds, Leicester, and Watford might make it easier for them. Conversely, even Chelsea's recent poor performance couldn't prevent them from overtaking Arsenal. It all comes down to whether Arsenal can secure a victory in the upcoming derby match.

Arsenal's Potential Rebirth

Arsenal was once—and still is—the best team in the world, but with the departure of players like Alexia Sanchez to Manchester United and Olivier Giroud to Chelsea, the team finds itself facing new challenges. Arsene Wenger's tactics, which have been effective for two decades, are now being challenged by the emergence of new tactics in the field. Arsenal can regain its former glory with new management and a rise in the performance of new youth players.

Champions League Relevance

Unfortunately, Arsenal's domestic league campaign seems destined to fall short. However, they still have a chance to qualify for the Champions League through the Europa League. Success in the Europa League could secure a place for Arsenal in the Champions League next season.

The Key Issues

The team's performance is plagued by several critical issues. Firstly, there is a lack of depth in defense. With Mustafi and Koscielny playing together, they perform decently, but the absence of either due to injuries leaves the team struggling. Additionally, there is a pressing need for a central defensive midfielder (CDM). Manchester United has Matic, Chelsea has Kante, and Liverpool has Emre Can. Arsenal has never been able to replace Vieira, and Diaby's performance hasn't been consistent enough to fill this role.

Santi Cazorla has been a significant miss, as he controls the midfield and orchestrates the entire game. Though Ramsey has been injured lately, he performed well at the start of the season, and Wilshere has returned and is a positive addition. If other players regain their form and the team stabilizes, Arsenal still has a chance to make a run for the top spots.

The uncertainty around the club is another significant challenge. Three of the best players have contracts ending in the next six months, leading to constant speculation about their futures. For instance, Sanchez demonstrated a lack of trust in his teammates and was eager to leave. Addressing these uncertainties and securing a decent run of form could bring the team's mojo back. With a strong performance in the latter half of the season, Arsenal could secure a top 4 finish or even win the Europa League.