Why Arsenal are 'in transition' like Liverpool as Premier League title narrative takes new twist

Mikel Arteta and Arne Slot are both experiencing seasons of transition after Arsenal and Liverpool's spending (Image: Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Arsenal took top spot in the Premier League table as Liverpool endured their third defeat on the bounce after losses to Crystal Palace, Galatasaray and Chelsea. Mikel Arteta saw his side brush past West Ham to go top by a single point. They now have a goal difference of seven points greater than the champions.

The switch of places at the top of the table after seven games and the run of defeats for Arne Slot’s side appears to have seen a distinction made about the Reds. Speaking on the Sunday Supplement, the Telegraph’s Jason Burt explained why he felt Liverpool were, in his words, a team “in transition".

“I was at quite a few of those games, and even that first game against Bournemouth, they were actually quite lucky to win that match,” he said. “There was a bit of alarm bells ringing then about that, and obviously they did fantastically well to then go and win so many games late on.

“But actually, in the last week, maybe that's been balanced out a little bit by the reality of the fact that it's a team in transition. You know, they've done a very bold summer.

“They've made a huge number of changes. It's clearly Arne Slot, Michael Edwards, and Richard Hughes putting their mark on the team. This is no longer a Jurgen Klopp side. This is now Arne Slot, Michael Edwards, Richard Hughes, saying, this is Liverpool going forward.

“Now, to do all of that in one summer was always going to be quite risky, make so many changes. Although in saying that, the team that started yesterday, most of them were there last season, only a couple of new players in [Milos] Kerkez, obviously the goalkeeper, they bought anyway.

“But I think they've also tried to change the style of play, be more expansive, and that's going to make the club more open as well. So Slot's trying to put his imprint on the team that are champions. And in itself, that's quite an interesting experiment to do that.

“I think it's always going to be a difficult period for them. I think in some ways, they did better than we thought by winning those games at the start.

“I know it's a bit weird saying that having spent so much money, but actually, you know, they look like a team in transition to me and to do that in this situation is quite risky and I think there's risks.

“I've sort of come against them this last week. They've obviously been caught out. And going into this international period now, they've got to try and sort it all out. But I think it's a work in progress for Liverpool. And I think they are some way off being the team they want to be.”

Burt is far from the only one, as our own Chief Football Writer John Cross is also of a similar view. Cross writes in The Mirror : “Liverpool are slightly different in that they are already champions - and they are trying to transition towards a new team while being at the top. However, it is still no less of a gamble on Arne Slot’s part to shift away from the team which won the title last season to a completely different look.”

Adding: “What is remarkable is the way that Liverpool stormed into this season. Jeremie Frimpong came in, Milos Kerkez and Florian Wirtz all started the season. Hugo Ekitike was also new in attack, while Alexander Isak joined later. That is one hell of a shift in dynamic and playing style.”

I have absolutely no problem with Liverpool being described in such a way. I think the reason given by Cross and Burt makes complete sense, and the volume of changes that the Reds have made sees Slot dealing with a fresh challenge despite winning the league.

That said, the energy, therefore, must be kept the same for both Arsenal and Manchester City. Pep Guardiola has equally key figures like Ilkay Gundogan, Ederson, Kevin De Bruyne and Manuel Akanji leave.

Bringing in Tijjani Reijnders, Rayan Ait-Nouri, Rayan Cherki, James Trafford, Gianluigi Donnarumma and the additions from January, such as Omar Marmoush, Nico Gonzalez and Abdukodir Khusanov. If Liverpool are a team in transition, based on those explanations, City are too.

Then for the Gunners, their number nine and number six roles in the team have vastly changed. Martin Zubimendi and Viktor Gyokeres are entirely new profiles to Thomas Partey and Kai Havertz.

While experienced heads in the dressing room, Jorginho and Oleksandr Zinchenko have also left. Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke have come in and featured heavily in the opening games of the new season.

I believe the energy of all three clubs must remain the same. All three are teams in transition, and the winner of this year’s Premier League title will depend on who from Slot, Guardiola, and Arteta manages the significant changes to their squad the best

Typically, this might be a case where a fourth team could come in and steal a march, but even with Chelsea beating Liverpool and Tottenham sitting just two points off north London rivals Arsenal, the gap in quality from these three remains simply too big at this point in time. So when you see discussions of Liverpool being a side “in transition,” just remember that both Arsenal and Manchester City sit in very much the same boat according to the same standards.