End of season review – Arsenal
With the 2020/21 Premier League season having now drawn to a close, there will be few supporters more disappointed than those of Arsenal. It’s been a tough season for many clubs given the quick turnaround from the 2019/20 campaign and games have come fast and thick over the course of the season.
Arsenal really struggled to get going for the most part and as a result they have missed out on any form of European football next season for the first time in 25 years. However, despite finishing eighth, there are some positives to note, like Mikel Arteta bringing some youth players into the fold and the odd good victory here and there.
So, as the Gunners try to pick themselves back up again during the summer months, let’s take a look back at their well-below par season. Read on to find out more!
Relegation threatened at Christmas
Arsenal had a mixed start to the season, winning four and losing three of their opening seven matches. However, things quickly spiralled out of control for Arteta’s men. They went without a win in seven games, losing to Aston Villa, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Tottenham Hotspur, Burnley and Everton in that time. That run of form left Arsenal with just 14 points from as many matches and within just four points of the relegation zone.
Amazing climb back up the table
Despite being one of the more favoured sides for the drop on sites like Betdaq, the Gunners managed to discover a rich vein of form following Christmas. They got back on track with a stunning 3-1 victory over Chelsea — their first league victory in almost two months — and that led to a lengthy unbeaten streak of their own. In fact, including the Chelsea game, they went eight games without defeat, winning five of those games as they climbed up to ninth.
Good end to the season
After a topsy-turvy spell which resulted in Arsenal floating around mid-table, Arteta’s side finished the season with another fine winning streak. They began May with a 2-0 victory away to Newcastle before beating relegated West Bromwich Albion 3-1 at the Emirates Stadium. A 1-0 victory over Chelsea secured the double over their London rivals and marked Arsenal’s first victory at Stamford Bridge since 2011. Further wins against Crystal Palace and Brighton and Hove Albion followed. There are certainly positives in that run and Arsenal fans will be hoping that that form can carry into next season.
Moment of the season
Given that Arsenal looked down and out when Chelsea made their way to the Emirates on Boxing Day, few would have expected the Gunners to stun their cross-city rivals with a 3-1 victory. Not only was it a win to savour, but it kicked a new lease of life into Arsenal’s season.
Top scorer
With 13 league goals to his name, Alexandre Lacazette finished the season as Arsenal’s top scorer in the Premier League. Nicolas Pépé and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who was well below his usual high standards throughout the course of the campaign, were next in line with 10 goals each.
Player of the Season
Several of Arsenal’s youngsters deserve a shoutout for their perseverance this season, including Kiernan Tierney, Emile Smith Rowe and Gabriel Martinelli. However, most fans would agree that Bukayo Saka deserves the club’s Player of the Season accolade. The young English international was the bright spark in Arsenal’s poor season.
