Arteta's Arsenal: Can They Really Go Back-to-Back?

Mikel Arteta rolled into Arsenal with a grand plan. Five steps, they said, to haul the club back to 'greatness.' Steps one through four? Those were about getting some silverware. Step five, according to the Sky Sports sages? Forging a dynasty. Ambitious, eh?

History's a harsh mistress. The last time Arsenal actually *defended* a top-flight title, they weren't just defending it. They won three leagues straight. That run ended in 1935. Even Arsène Wenger, with all his doubles and 'Invincibles' heroics, couldn't pull off back-to-back championships. A sobering thought for the current crop.

Forget the ghosts of seasons past for a moment. This Arsenal squad has a gaping hole: open-play attacking efficiency. Yes, their defense was stellar. Yes, set-pieces were an absolute weapon last season, dragging them over the finish line for the title. But look closer. Their open-play numbers? Not even in the Premier League's top three. The Champions League final was the perfect, painful example. They were up against Paris Saint-Germain. Had the lead. Then went a stunning 114 minutes without a single shot on target. Pathetic, frankly.

Then came the Community Shield. A 3-0 demolition of Manchester City. Three goals from open play. Not a single set-piece needed. You could almost hear the collective sigh of relief. A flicker of hope, maybe?

But don't get too carried away. The summer transfer window? Not exactly inspiring. Morgan Rogers and Vinicius Junior, targets they supposedly wanted, both vanished into thin air. So, what's left? Pretty much the same attack that limped through the end of last season. Christos Tzolis showed up – a younger model of Leandro Trossard, apparently. That's it. The lone 'significant' outfield addition. Not exactly title-winning depth, is it?