For much of the 2020s, Arsenal have stood as the benchmark for clubs seeking a rebuild.
From title pretenders to genuine contenders, Mikel Arteta and the Kroenkes have transformed the Gunners and returned them to the top.
For that reason, the work at the North London Premier League side has been widely appreciated. In fact, INEOS were reported in 2024 by The Independent to have studied Arsenal’s model as an example of how they might reshape Manchester United.
“INEOS have paid attention to how the London club steeled themselves through a miserable 2020–21 period as the Basque coach transformed the profile of the squad to a much younger team who were gradually being integrated into his tactical ideal,” wrote The Independent.
Tricky ride
While results and different situations tested United fans’ patience and ultimately forced the club to pull the plug on both Erik ten Hag and Ruben Amorim‘s projects, United can still pull off an Arteta-Kroenke-like resurgence with the right permanent manager appointed this summer.
To do so, United must not only pick the right head coach but also get the recruitment right.
Recruitment: the decisive factor
The biggest undoing for the 20‑time English champions has consistently been recruitment.
Ten Hag, though given full control of recruitment, did not get some of the players he wanted, most notably Frenkie de Jong. As for Amorim, he was not afforded full power over recruitment either, and similarly, he never got some of the players he wanted, such as Carlos Baleba.
Even so, the last two summer windows have been relatively decent. Apart from perhaps Manuel Ugarte and Joshua Zirkzee, United have brought in young, exciting talents: Leny Yoro, Matthijs de Ligt, Noussair Mazraoui, Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha, Senne Lammens and Bryan Mbeumo, all of whom fit their project.
Heading into the summer transfer window, it is no secret that, with a few key signings, this United team can challenge for the league. But INEOS should be critical of who they bring on board, as Arsenal are showing clearly that talent alone is not enough.
Experience is important
Honestly, talent has not been an issue at Arsenal; they have brilliant players. However, they miss quality experienced players, individuals who have won the biggest trophies and know how to handle the pressure of chasing them.
It is easy enough to win domestic cups, but to conquer the Premier League or the Champions League, you need mentality and composure. And you cannot learn that on the job, as Arsenal have been doing; you must rely on proven winners.
Therefore, as United consider their options this summer, they must shift their focus to acquiring experienced quality players who can handle pressure, as a winning mentality is built on it.
Experience first
Of those already linked, players such as Marco Senesi, Iliman Ndiaye, Elliot Anderson and Sandro Tonali may not yet have lifted the biggest trophies, but they offer maturity and resilience.
Players like Yan Diomande, Mateus Fernandes and Baleba may be exciting options, but it is far from certain they have the mettle to withstand the pressure of challenging for the league, the very pressure that has had Arsenal fumbling in the 2025-26 title race.
So ultimately, if United must choose between experience and raw quality in the summer transfer window, experience should come first. That matters especially in a summer when they are set to lose one of their most influential figures, Casemiro.
Featured image Stu Forster via Getty Images
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