Liverpool were in a similar position to Arsenal a few years ago. Fast forward a few seasons, they are one of the best in Europe.

What do Arsenal need to do in order to match a similar pattern?

  • Spend money, but sell well

Since Jurgen Klopp arrived at Anfield in October 2015, Liverpool have spent £480.73million and have sold talent for £340.83m, leaving a very respectable £139.90m net spend.

Arsenal have surprisingly spent more money than Liverpool, £512.06m in incomings since the summer of 2015, prior to Klopp’s arrival, and sold £225.06m worth of players, with a larger net spend of £287million.

Arsenal have not sold well in recent times compared to Liverpool. Phillipe Coutinho earned Liverpool over £137million whereas Arsenal let star player Alexis Sanchez leave for free.

Liverpool have been much shrewder with their business, and their net spend and both domestic and European success demonstrates a great sense of business nous and awareness. 

  • Sign players in the right areas

Alisson and Virgil Van Djik are the perfect examples of addressing problem areas in the team.

Liverpool were lacking a world-class quality goalkeeper, something highlighted in the 2018 Champions League Final, where a big mistake from Loris Karius gave Real Madrid the lead in a final that the Spanish giants would go onto win.

The arrival of Alison that summer was a statement that change was afoot for Liverpool. 

Van Dijk’s arrival in January 2018 was also vital for Liverpool in solving their defensive issues, the Dutchman has gone onto become one of the worlds’ best centre-backs and has won numerous personal awards, as well as the Premier League and Champions League trophies.

These two signings have become key figures for Liverpool and pivotal for their successes. This is a model that Arsenal need to copy and have failed to do so far. 

That can change this summer though, if Arsenal address their main issues correctly.

Defensively, Arsenal have added over the last two years with; David Luiz, Pablo Mari, Kieran Tierney, Cedric, Gabriel and William Saliba all making permeant moves to The Emirates.

Fans calls for a winger have also been addressed with Nicholas Pepe and Willian coming to North London.

Centre-midfield is the area needing most attention, but with only Dani Ceballos coming in on another one-year loan deal, much of The Gunners faithful are getting slightly worried. 

Matteo Guendouzi, Mesut Ozil and Lucas Torriera have all fallen out of favour with new manager Arteta, and with only Granit Xhaka and Joe Willock natural midfielders, alongside Mo Elneny who spent last season out on loan and lacks the star quality Arsenal need in midfield, it is an area in desperate need of attention.

Reports have linked The Gunners’ with a plethora of midfielders the whole of the summer, but it is Houssem Aouar and Thomas Partey who have stuck and seem a real possibility for Arsenal.

Both offer something different, but they are both vital signings this summer for Arsenal to make a real crack at the top four.

  • Give the manager the full backing

Football in general has become far too quick paced, and there is hardly any loyalty or time.

Arsenal have to give Arteta time to make the team his own and find and implement the right style of play. It took Klopp four seasons to win the Premier League, because the board gave him time and money to create a title winning team.

Since his arrival, Arsenal are on their third permeant manager in Mikel Arteta and the Arsenal board need to give Arteta the full backing that he deserves and has demonstrated and earned.

Victory in two cup finals since his December 2019 arrival is exciting for fans, and he has also changed the way Arsenal play, creating a new identity.

Fans and bosses shouldn’t expect perfection all the time and cannot react if things take a blip for a short spell, he needs time, like Klopp, to take a stronghold of the team, and to do that he needs money.

Despite spending over £500million since 2015, Arsenal fans still feel that the squad has lacked investment from owner Stan Kroenke.

This is mainly due to the owners’ disinterest in English football, but also as a result of the poor league finishes, missing out on Champions League qualification for the fourth straight season now, meaning; prize, tv and gate receipt money has dropped.

By giving Arteta funds to sign both Aouar and Partey would show a great deal of support for their manager.

  • Keep the fans onside

Arsenal fans have been at the epicentre of fan movements in recent times, and often found themselves right at the centre of a number of media storms.

Supporters are not afraid to show their discontent at poor form, management or attitudes, and have made a habit of calling out players, managers and owners on large social media platforms, often with splits between the fanbase and “infighting”.

The Liverpool fanbase have mostly been strong and united since the start of the ‘Klopp era’, and the positive fan base has reflected on the team, coming together to create a harmonious club atmosphere and inevitably vital to the success.