Hoop BlahFranchise FCHoop Blah I don't think it'll take half that amount to fix it IF they get in a manager who can organise and put the structure in place to provide a half decent platform for their attacking players to perform from..
You only have to look at how Rodgers turned round Leicesters form, or Hasenhüttl sorted out Southampton (at least to start with), to see how small tweaks or a couple of players here or there can make such a difference.
They do need to have a bit of a clear out and bring in one or two defensive players, but imagine what someone like Rafa would be able to do to make them 10 times harder to score against without too much investment.
But does that get them close to the top four, or just arrest the current slide to get 6th to 10th ?
They're probably too far behind the top 4 to get close to them this season, if that's what you mean (ten points to close the gap on Chelsea). But I doubt that any amount of investment or managerial magic is going to get them into the top 4, this season, realistically.
Starting from scratch with some small tweaks to the squad and some proper defensive organisation and I'd say Rafa would be able to get Arsenal into the top 4 with (largely) what they have now. If not he'd have them challenging at least.
You may be right, and I wasn't thinking this season particularly, but I can't see Liverpool, Man City or Chelsea dropping off (with respect to Leicester I hope they aren't but they could be transient in the top four). However, Man Utd & Tottenham are both going to be striving for the top four. I just can't see how a few 'tweaks' would be enough to get a top four next season.