Overall, 2023 was a successful year for Arsenal. Whilst the disappointment of missing out on the 2022/23 Premier League title still looms large, Arsenal undeniably...
Overall, 2023 was a successful year for Arsenal.
Whilst the disappointment of missing out on the 2022/23 Premier League title still looms large, Arsenal undeniably made progress over the course of the calendar year.
If the Gunners are to go one step better and lift the Premier League title, and perhaps other silverware, in 2024 though, then a few players in Mikel Arteta’s squad will need to raise their game.
Of course, all players can still look to improve. Even the best in the business continually strive for ways to get even better, and no one at the Emirates Stadium will be allowed to rest on their laurels. That being said, though, there are still some players at Arsenal that Arteta absolutely needs more from in the coming year.
3 Arsenal players who need to improve in 2024
David Raya
David Raya arrived at Arsenal on a season-long loan deal from Brentford in the recent summer transfer window. Early on this season, Arteta made the contentious decision to make the Spanish shot-stopper his first choice between the sticks, with Aaron Ramsdale dropping to the bench.
Arteta received criticism for his treatment of Ramsdale, and Raya has produced a number of nervy performances since coming into the team. Some fans have even called for Ramsdale to be reinstated as No. 1. Raya is clearly Arteta’s preferred choice though, and he needs to vindicate that decision in the second half of the campaign.
Fabio Vieira
Arsenal paid £34 million to sign Fabio Vieira from Porto in the summer of 2022. Since then, the 23-year-old attacking midfielder has failed to live up to his price tag. He has talent and has shown flashes of quality, but also looks lightweight and goes missing in matches.
Vieira has had long enough to settle in to life at Arsenal now and needs to kick on quickly if he is to have any long-term future at the club.
Gabriel Jesus
There is no denying that Gabriel Jesus is a supreme talent. However, the question has certainly been asked as to whether his relative lack of goals ought to be a concern for the Gunners. The 26-year-old has himself admitted that goalscoring is not one of the great strengths of his game.
The Brazilian is the Gunners’ first choice striker though, and if he were able to hit a prolific streak in 2024 he could well fire the north London club to their first league title in 20 years.
