Forty-three points behind Liverpool. Fewer wins than Burnley. Fewer clean sheets than Newcastle United. Failing to score more often than Southampton. Fewer than half as many away wins as Southampton and only as many as relegated Bournemouth. Their lowest finish in a quarter of a century with their second lowest number of victories since 1976.
It is a selective use of statistics, but a reminder of how wretched Arsenal’s league season was. Perhaps it is necessary as a counterweight to the optimism generated by Mikel Arteta’s revival, or perhaps simply as a reminder of how far they fell, and how much further they have to climb back.
But progress has felt fast. August yielded two trophies. Arsenal have gone unbeaten at home against English opposition and beaten Liverpool (twice, if you include a penalty shootout), Manchester City, Chelsea and Manchester United in 2020.
Arteta has injected a different mentality, a solidity and a steeliness. The notion that Arsenal are a soft touch on the major stage feels outdated, even if it remains more than five years since they won a league game away at big-six opponents.
It raises the question of how, and where, Arsenal calibrate expectations. Arteta remains a rookie in his first full season in charge, albeit one who had an elite education and who is already shaping up as one of the game’s finest tacticians.
There are fault-lines in his squad, even if flawed players’ weaknesses were cleverly camouflaged in their trio of summer wins at Wembley. Can they be hidden over 38 games?
Arsenal's fortunes rest to some extent on the relatively untried, and not merely in the dugout. Bukayo Saka was last season's breakout star, seemingly capable of exerting an impact anywhere. Ainsley Maitland-Niles has graduated to the ranks of the England internationals after excelling as a left wing-back, despite only playing a handful of games there. Gabriel Martinelli may not feature until 2021, but is shaping up as one of the finer finishers in the country. Eddie Nketiah, Emile Smith Rowe, Reiss Nelson and Joe Willock offer promise, but converting potential into points is no straightforward task.
In particular, there is the overhaul at the back. Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba, 22 and 19 respectively and each imported from Ligue 1 for a combined cost approaching £50 million (Dh238m), represent the long-term partnership in defence.
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Arsenal's 2019/20 season player ratings
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ARSENAL 2019/20 RATINGS: MANAGERS: Unai Emery – 3. After 18 months, the Spaniard was sacked at the end of November following a run of seven games without victory and with Arsenal eight points off the top four. His appointment brought optimism following the gradual decline under Arsene Wenger but Emery ultimately proved an ill fit. Reuters -
Mikel Arteta – 8. Despite finishing 10 points off the Premier League top four, Arsenal now appear to be trending in the right direction under the former captain’s guidance. Then, of course, there’s the FA Cup win. A trophy in your first season as a manager is fine going. EPA -
GOALKEEPERS: Bernd Leno – 6. Only eight clean sheets in 30 Premier League appearances, although much of that can be attributed to the defence in front of him. Prior to his season-ending injury, had a decent season and is assured of his place when fit. Reuters -
Emiliano Martínez – 7. Has done well since stepping in for Leno in the league and has had the gloves throughout Arsenal’s march to the FA Cup. A reliable No 2. AP -
DEFENDERS: Sokratis – 4. The Greek veteran has barely featured since Arteta arrived and contributed to the regular defensive shambles under Emery. Unlikely to be an Arsenal player next season. Reuters -
Calum Chambers – 7. Desperately unlucky season for Chambers, who returned after a Player of the Season loan spell at relegated Fulham. Arguably Arsenal’s standout defender before injury struck at the start of the year. Shutterstock -
Shkodran Mustafi – 5. After being largely ignored by Emery, the German has had some game time under Arteta and has actually put in a few decent performances. Still an accident waiting to happen, though. Reuters -
David Luiz – 6. Almost a typical Luiz campaign, ranging from world class to schoolboy. Problem is, it’s been more of the latter this season. Put in a good performance in the FA Cup final. PA -
Rob Holding – 6. Enjoyed a late run in the first team and played 90 minutes of the FA Cup final. Will hope he has done enough to convince Arteta of his worth ahead of next season. PA -
Pablo Mari – 4. Has made just three appearances in all competitions, since joining on loan in January, due to an ankle injury. Apparently, that’s enough to earn a permanent move. Go figure. Reuters -
Kieran Tierney – 8. The Scottish full-back had rotten luck with injuries this season, but the difference he makes when he plays is clear. A quality operator down the left flank, the early signs are promising. AP Photo -
Sead Kolasinac – 6. For a player with cult status, it was a mediocre season for the Bosnian. Gets an extra point for squaring up to armed carjackers last summer. Getty Images -
Hector Bellerin – 7. Another Arsenal defender to endure an injury-hit campaign, but after the Spaniard returned to the team, the Gunners looked stronger. His brilliant run started the move that led to the FA Cup final winner. PA -
Ainsley Maitland-Niles – 7. Adapted well to being played out of position, covering for the injured Bellerin at right-back. Was a constant threat in the FA Cup final when moved to left wing-back (another unfamiliar position). His versatility proved very useful but will want more game time in midfield next season. EPA -
Cedric Soares – 4. Like fellow January loanee Mari, injury has limited the full-back’s game-time. Also like Mari, has earned a permanent contract. PA -
MIDFIELDERS: Lucas Torreira – 6. One of Arsenal’s best players in his debut season last year. Has experienced a more subdued season this time round having lost his place in central midfield to Dani Ceballos. Reuters -
Granit Xhaka – 7. It was an eventful season for the Swiss midfielder. He looked destined for the exit after the episode with the fans during the Crystal Palace game and was stripped of the captaincy. Bounced back well to prove his worth to Arsenal. EPA -
Matteo Guendouzi – 5. Billed as the player Arsenal would build their next team around, instead the French midfielder looks set for the exit after being frozen out by Arteta following his behaviour against Brighton. Reuters -
Dani Ceballos – 8. It took some adjustment and there was the injury that sidelined him for 11 games, but the Spaniard emerged as Arsenal’s best midfielder. A player of genuine quality, Arteta should do all he can to tie down the Real Madrid player for another season. EPA -
Joe Willock – 6. A mainstay in Arsenal’s Europa League campaign, the 20-year-old midfielder was mainly used off the bench in the Premier League. Looks a bright prospect. PA -
Mesut Ozil – 2. One goal, three assists, 22 starts in all competitions, involved in just five Premier League wins. Has not kicked a ball since the restart. These are hardly the stats befitting of the club’s highest-paid player. Arsenal’s evolution under Arteta has left Ozil behind, so where do club and player go from here? PA -
FORWARDS: Gabriel Martinelli – 8. Arsenal’s breakthrough player of the season, the 19-year-old Brazilian scored 10 goals in 26 appearances across all competitions. A knee injury cut his campaign short but Martinelli looks every inch Arsenal’s next big star. Reuters -
Bukayo Saka – 8. Four goals and 11 assists from the 18-year-old Academy graduate marks a very impressive first full season in the senior squad. Saka looks set to be an important part of Arsenal’s future. Reuters -
Nicolas Pepe – 6. Given the club record fee and excitement that surrounded his arrival, the Ivorian winger’s debut season was mediocre at best. Eight goals and 10 assists across 42 games in all competitions is an ordinary return for a player of his undoubted talent. After a year to settle, should find another level next season. Getty Images -
Reiss Nelson – 6. Restricted to 11 starts in all competitions and struggled to make much of an impact, contributing three goals and three assists in 24 total appearances. A talented player and at just 20 years old, has a bright future ahead. EPA -
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – 10. This rating was a 9 prior to the FA Cup final before he scored both goals at Wembley to lead Arsenal to victory. Another superb season for the Gabonese star with 29 goals in 44 appearances. His contract expires next summer and the general consensus among Arsenal fans is ‘give him whatever he wants’, which seems fair enough. EPA -
Alexandre Lacazette – 7. A decent enough season for the French striker with 12 goals and seven assists over 39 appearances but there is a lingering sense that he should be producing more. EPA -
Eddie Nketiah – 6. Recalled from his loan spell at Leeds at the end of January, Nketiah chipped in with six goals in 19 games. Another from Arsenal’s Academy that looks set for a bright future. AP Photo
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But each is a newcomer and the short term involves David Luiz, just as the suggestion is that Arteta would prefer a back four, though his outstanding results have come with an inventive 3-4-3 formation.
He is juggling young and old, immediate aims and ultimate objectives. His success so far has come with a minority of possession, rather than Pep Guardiola-style football, but it is a consequence of Arsenal's lack of a playmaker apart from the unwanted Mesut Ozil. And he, in turn, is a reason their finances are such an awkward balancing act.
Willian's arrival, a case of prioritising the present over the future, points at more counter-attacking, hard-running football. The Brazilian ranks among the best defensive forwards in the league; he represents the antithesis of one who increasingly looks a luxury player.
The chances are that Arsenal will end up fifth or sixth, improving from eighth without gate-crashing the top four, even if Arteta’s prowess in knockout ties offers the chance the Europa League will lead to the Champions League.
The trump card in an uneven squad remains Arsenal’s best hope of getting there. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s last five seasons have yielded 170 goals. He is the throwback to Arsenal’s past, when players of his calibre were more commonplace, and, along with Arteta, the hope that better days are returning.
