Shooting blanks: the tale of Arsenal’s steady slide
GUWAHATI: When Arsenal beat Man United last month for their first league win at Old Trafford in 14 years, the north London club seemed to have turned a corner after two straight domestic defeats. Having won the FA Cup, things seemed to fall into place for Mikel Arteta’s side. Yet, seven weeks later Arsenal are in crisis—just two points in their last seven league games scoring only thrice.
Summer signing Willian perhaps sums up Arsenal’s form. Having started off with three assists against Fulham, the winger has contributed little to the attacks, managing one shot on target in the league. “Normally when a team is in this position it is battered every week, and it’s not the case. We’ve been better than the opponent every week but we are not winning,” Arteta said after Saturday’s 1-2 loss to Everton .
Poor finishing and individual errors haven’t helped the team. Against Southampton at home, a needless second yellow card for Gabriel forced Arteta to go defensive and salvage a point. In the previous game against Burnley, a moment of madness from Granit Xhaka—he grabbed a rival player by the throat—that resulted in a red card cost Arsenal the game. Defensively too, Arsenal have struggled. They have just three clean sheets. As of Saturday, seven teams in the league had conceded fewer.
After last season, Arsenal prioritised the contract extension of star striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang over a new signing. The most prominent attacking signing was that of Willian, 32, on a free transfer from Chelsea. Arsenal acquired a key midfielder in Thomas Partey and a crucial defensive signing was Gabriel, but some notable positions were ignored. Since the sidelining of Mesut Ozil, the club has missed a creative midfielder in a similar mould. Arsenal’s technical director Edu recently admitted that: “It’s quite clear that we need a player with creativity in the middle; we don’t have that right now.”
Arsenal have a good mix of attacking players—some experienced, a few young guns and players who offer the manager options to employ different combinations. However, it is clear Arteta has struggled to accommodate all the best ones on the pitch. Aubameyang, for instance, found himself moved wide to accommodate Alexandre Lacazette over the last few months. Lacazette has been inconsistent while Aubameyang’s form has dipped alarmingly. Nicolas Pepe, Arsenal’s most expensive signing, too has struggled for a regular starting place. Youngster Matteo Guendouzi being frozen out over his attitude was subsequently sent to Hertha Berlin on loan where he flourished.
So, is it time for Arteta to go? The 38-year-old in his first major coaching role has made mistakes but Arsenal’s problems are deeper. Boardroom changes haven’t helped Arsene Wenger’s successors—Unai Emery and Arteta—in terms of continuity. While fears of Arsenal going the Leeds United way—the latter is back in Premier League after 16 years—may be exaggerated, it may find itself further adrift of its biggest domestic rivals if there isn’t better direction and stability at the highest echelons of the club.