Premier League 2018/19 review: Arsenal's first season post-Wenger is a steady one

Replacing Arsene Wenger last summer was never going to be a straightforward job. The Frenchman spent 22 years in charge of the club, though some will argue several years too many after the way in which Arsenal declined under his watch.

In that respect, the fact Arsenal improved their points tally by seven this season compared to last can at least be seen as a step in the right direction under Emery, even if the league campaign has been seen as a slight disappointment.

Despite missing our on a top four finish, Arsenal can salvage Champions League football for next season by beating Chelsea in the Europa League final later this month. Given Unai Emery’s remarkable success in the competition in recent time, you wouldn’t put it past the Gunners and that would turn a satisfactory campaign into a great one. 

Fans hoping the club will kick on substantially next term may have to rein in their expectations. Arsenal are still burdened financially by the huge contracts dished out to Mesut Ozil, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Henrikh Mkhitaryan 18 months ago and Emery is not expected to have a huge budget to work with this summer as a result.

Top rated player – Alexandre Lacazette (7.17)

There were concerns about where Alexandre Lacazette would fit in at Arsenal after the Gunners splashed out to sign Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang six months after his own arrival, but the one huge positive from Unai Emery’s first campaign is that the pair have quickly built a great relationship on the pitch.

Emery hasn’t always been willing to start both strikers but when they have the signs have been good. Lacazette didn’t score as many goals as Aubameyang in the Premier League this season but just edges his striker partner as Arsenal’s highest WhoScored rated player this season. Lacazette scored and assisted 21 league goals this season (13 goals, eight assists) and they were worth an additional 10 points to Arsenal’s tally. Furthermore, no Arsenal player won the WhoScored Man of the Match award in more league games than the France international (four).

Biggest disappointment – Denis Suarez

It was quickly made clear Unai Emery would only have enough money in January to make one loan signing and the Arsenal boss pushed to reunite with Barcelona outcast Denis Suarez. A deal looked dead and buried at one point but the Gunners managed to pull off the transfer without including a compulsory option to buy, which was what initially held up talks.

There was a feeling that Emery had earmarked Suarez as a potential replacement for Aaron Ramsey, who joins Juventus this summer on a Bosman transfer. However, it is back to the drawing board for Emery, as Suarez only made four substitute appearances in the league and returned to Barcelona early due to injury.

Surprise Package – Aaron Ramsey

It’s perhaps fitting, though unfortunate, that Aaron Ramsey’s Arsenal career finished with injury. The Wales international has agreed to join Juventus on a free transfer after Arsenal refused to match his wage demands.

It was apparent quite early in the season that Ramsey would not extend his Arsenal stay, which makes it all the more surprising how influential he developed under Emery.

Ramsey made as many starts as he did substitute appearances in the Premier League this season (14 each) but his contribution was invaluable, returning four goals and six assists. In fact, Arsenal’s win ratio dropped from 71.4% when Ramsey started in the Premier League this season to just 45.8% when he didn’t.

Where to improve – Replace Shkodran Mustafi

There will be a good montage out there of all the defensive mistakes Arsenal have made this season. Their defending has been a shambles at times and is illustrated by the fact no team committed more errors leading to an opposition goal in the Premier League this season than Arsenal (12).

Strengthening at the back will surely be a top priority for Emery with what little money he will have this summer. Shkodran Mustafi’s place in the squad should be extremely vulnerable, as the former Germany international has failed massively since making a £35m move from Valencia three years ago.

Though Mustafi won two WhoScored Man of the Match awards in the Premier League this season, he embodies everything that is bad about Arsenal’s defending and supporters will be hugely frustrated if he lines up in their opening game next season.

League Position: 5th

Grade: C