ARSENAL’S last chance of a trophy has already gone after their Carabao Cup semi-final exit at the hands of Liverpool.
As always with the Gunners, January is usually where their campaign goes into meltdown, and this year has been no exception.
A dismal exit from the FA Cup to Championship side Nottingham Forest came after a battling, but ultimately fruitless loss to Manchester City.
Alongside the 2-0 defeat at home to Jurgen Klopp’s Reds, Arsenal’s hopes of any trophy this season have ended.
Now questions are being raised about Mikel Arteta by a large part of the Emirates fan base.
What does he have to do to make this season a success, and get the supporters coming back through the gates in the coming months?
Here SunSport pinpoints the five key areas the Gunners have to sort for the rest of the season, or risk it falling into total disaster.
Sign a striker, midfielder and defender this month
This is Arsenal’s number one priority, the need to invest in January has never been greater.
Arteta’s squad is already at its bare bones, with numerous fringe players leaving on loan already this month.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been banished from the squad, and Alexandre Lacazette’s future is in doubt.
The Gunners lost out on Fiorentina striker Dusan Vlahovic, who was their No1 target, to Juventus.
A strong central midfielder is also needed, with Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka the only senior players in that position.
And with Pablo Mari, Sead Kolasinac and others leaving, defensive reinforcements are a must.
But time is rapidly running out…
Finish fourth and get Champions League football
This is not just a target, it’s now a must. Arsenal need to be back among Europe’s elite, and soon.
The Gunners haven’t been in the Champions League since 2017, and it’s been a long five-years and counting.
The slow decline of the club has coincided with that, as has the quality of the players they’ve been able to sign.
But with Manchester United struggling, rivals Tottenham up-and-down and others having issues, there’s never been a better chance.
With no trophies this season, being back in the big time is the minimum requirement for such a huge club.
Keep young stars Like Martinelli and Co this month
This is obvious, but keeping together this young group of stars is vital for the future success of Arsenal.
Europe’s elite will be sniffing around their top stars this month, to try and lure them away from the Emirates.
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp praised Gabriel Martinelli last week for his performance, which had fans fearing the worst.
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Bukayo Saka is having another stellar campaign, and it won’t be long until Manchester City and Co come knocking.
Emile Smith Rowe is another sensational talent, with Aston Villa trying to grab him over the summer.
Now, Arteta will have his work cut out, and chief Edu will have no end of calls fighting off interest in their current crop.
Sort Aubameyang and Lacazette’s future out NOW
The situation with the Arsenal duo is hanging like a dark cloud over North London at present.
Aubameyang has been exiled from the squad, with Arteta seemingly not interested in him returning at all.
The Gabon striker needs to leave this month, and a few Saudi clubs have already shown loan interest.
Meanwhile, Lacazette proved he’s not quite up to the level the Gunners need on the big match occasion against Liverpool.
His contract runs out at the end of the season, and talks over a new one have been going on for a while.
But a clean break between the two is the best for everyone, and the club need to make it clear that’s their stance.
Get huge amoung of fan base on side
Arteta has four months to convince the Arsenal faithful he is the man to get them back competing for titles again.
There is already a divide between those who believe he is the right man for the job, and those who don’t think he’s cut out for it.
The situation with Aubameyang and others has shown his brutal nature, and how it is his way or the high way.
But will it be the Spaniard backing his bags come May if the club drop away and fall out of the European spots?
