Philippa Kaur

YET again, Arsenal fans have been left cursing what might have been this season and dreaming of what may be next season.Another second-placed Prem finish. Another agonising European exit.Mikel Arteta could not mastermind a trophy once again this seasonCredit: GettyArsenal’s season ended in heartacheCredit: GettyBoss Mikel Arteta must pick up the pieces from another nearly campaign, ruing costly injuries, failed transfer windows and controversial red cards.Work is already underway in North London to ensure next term is the one that ends their 21-year Prem title drought. Will it finally be their time? Painful lessons have to be learned.In October, Bukayo Saka reportedly told friends at his birthday party in Mayfair: “I really believe we are going to win the league.”READ MORE ON ARSENALBut the reality was the Gunners were constantly on the back foot last campaign, and it began in the summer with a botched attempt to sign an elite No9.Despite having Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus as central attacking options, there had been progressive talks with RB Leipzig over Benjamin Sesko — a striker who 12 months on is now merely a back-up option to first-choice target Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting Lisbon.Arsenal were confident they had laid the groundwork to get Sesko over the line, only for the player to sign a new contract on June 12. SunSport understands this left the club slightly shaken.It is why it made sense to prioritise other areas towards the end of the window, bringing in midfielder Mikel Merino, defender Riccardo Calafiori and keeper David Raya.Most read in FootballJoin SUN CLUB for the Arsenal Files every Friday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from The EmiratesOthers had their doubts, but SunSport understands that the push for Merino was one led by Arteta, and his instinct was proven right, scoring seven goals in 18 games as a heroic makeshift striker in the new year.Arsenal were determined not to panic-buy to solve their issues – something that had been done in the past at the club with little success.Mikel Arteta gives passionate speech to fans in Emirates after win over NewcastleThere was also a growing confidence that Jesus had shaken off his fitness issues, with Arteta claiming that the Brazilian looked a “different person” in pre-season.Yet that faith proved to be costly. By August 20, Jesus had been ruled out with a groin injury, not able to start successive games until mid-December.By mid-January, he was out until the end of 2025 with an ACL rupture, lumping Arteta with an unsellable, unusable, expensive asset.Arteta then rushed back England stars Declan Rice and Saka from the Euros, despite only having 24 days of rest.In hindsight, this was a mistake, and perhaps a factor in Saka’s three-month absence from December with a torn hamstring.On August 24, following Arsenal’s 2-0 win at Aston Villa, Arteta admitted they were “short” up top. It was at this point Arsenal began to scramble, with some at the club accepting there would be no Deadline Day miracle.On August 29, sporting director Edu was due to be in Monaco for the Champions League draw, but made a late u-turn to stay in North London. There was reason for optimism when Raheem Sterling joined on loanCredit: GettyBukayo Saka’s hamstring tear was a brutal blowCredit: GettyThe Gunners had to give Liverpool a painful guard of honour at AnfieldCredit: ReutersThe next day, there were murmurings, and SunSport understands that barely anyone knew Raheem Sterling was close to joining on loan from Chelsea until hours before the deadline.At this stage, as far as the Arsenal board were concerned, Edu remained committed, despite whispers in Brazil over the summer of interested suitors.But after his resignation on November 4, Arsenal were forced to come to terms with losing an integral part of their successful machine.SunSport understands that senior figures were genuinely shocked by the news, with some even emotional, having grown incredibly close over the past few years.There was never going to be a rush to hire a replacement, such was the trust in Edu’s assistant Jason Ayto, and SunSport understands seven candidates were considered before finally appointing Andrea Berta on March 30.In his first few days, Berta asked for patience in public, but behind the scenes was impatient to get going, and is hoping to have two or three major signings signed and delivered early this window, including Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi [£51m] and Gyokeres [£60m].Despite fluffing their lines in January without a permanent sporting director in place, Arsenal are indignant that it was the right decision to be patient in finding Edu’s successor, even if it meant missing out on mid-season incomings, and that the short-term pain of conceding the title to Liverpool will be worth it with the club currently in a strong financial position this summer.Arteta insisted that Edu’s exit would not derail their plans on and off the pitch, but in truth, it was another setback in an already demoralising and frustrating season.Martin Odegaard missed a big chunk of the season through injury – then massively struggled for formCredit: Shutterstock EditorialEdu shocked the club by walking out in NovemberCredit: GettyOllie Watkins scored at the Emirates in January… but did not sign for ArsenalCredit: GettyLess than 24 hours after signing, Sterling was at the Emirates to watch Arsenal’s 2-2 at Brighton, and went down into the dressing room to meet his new teammates for the first time.But SunSport understands the mood was rather despondent following Rice’s controversial red card, and a genuine feeling that those dropped points would prove pivotal.Arteta cut an immensely frustrated figure behind the scenes as results continued to tumble, and described dealing with injuries to the likes of Martin Odegaard as a “nightmare” – an apt description of the January window.Up until January 12 – before Jesus’ ACL rupture – Arteta was not actively in the market, especially thanks to the surprise form of academy grads Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly.But when that changed, the execution was lacking. Too much time was spent on trying to convince Sesko to reconsider, and when that failed, a £40m Ollie Watkins bid was made without anticipating Aston Villa’s scuppering sale of Jhan Duran to Saudi days later.It turned into a real mess, and then an embarrassing catastrophe as Arsenal were left without a recognised striker with Havertz out for months following a hamstring operation.SunSport understands that Berta gave the Arsenal board special red ties to wear for the quarter-final against Real Madrid, and they were subsequently worn again for the semi-final against PSG, only for the luck to have worn off by then.Read More on The SunArsenal cannot rely on lucky charms next season. As Arteta told the owners on the final day: “They know what they have to do.”For once, they need to start on the front foot on the pitch and in the boardroom and keep it that way. Only then will trophies follow.Arteta’s ‘dark arts’ comments did not go down well with Manchester CityCredit: ReutersKai Havertz underwent surgery as the striker crisis deepenedCredit: https://x.com/kaihavertz29Arsenal’s directors wore matching ties away at PSG – but their luck ran outCredit: Getty More