Arsenal appears set to miss out on the Premier League title once again, despite their best efforts to chase down Liverpool. The Gunners have failed to capitalise on opportunities, even when the Reds have struggled, and their inconsistency has proven costly in the title race.
Mikel Arteta has a talented squad at his disposal, but too many of his players have underperformed this season, contributing to the team’s shortcomings. While Arsenal has shown moments of brilliance, individual performances have often let them down at crucial times. Several key players have failed to deliver when needed most, and this has significantly impacted their campaign.
Here, we assess some of Arsenal’s worst performers this season.
Martin Odegaard
Much has been said about the Norwegian’s struggles in the absence of Bukayo Saka, but as the club captain, he should be able to lead the team regardless of any individual player’s availability. While his creativity and technical ability remain evident, his inconsistency has been a major concern. A true leader must be able to step up in difficult moments, but Odegaard has not provided the level of influence expected from him.
Kai Havertz
The German international has endured a frustrating season, missing several clear-cut chances that could have made a significant difference for the team. His inconsistency in front of goal has been costly, and while he has shown glimpses of quality, his lack of composure in decisive moments has haunted Arsenal. A more clinical Havertz could have put the team in a stronger position in the title race.
Gabriel Jesus
Jesus struggled for consistency and failed to provide the reliable goal-scoring presence Arsenal desperately needed. While his work rate and movement are valuable, his inability to convert chances regularly has been a major issue. Had he been more clinical, the team would likely be in a far better position. Injuries have played a role in his struggles, but even when fit, he has not delivered the goals required of a top striker.
Raheem Sterling
Despite his illustrious career and past success, Sterling has failed to make an impact since joining Arsenal. His performances have been disappointing, and he has been far from the influential player many had expected. Given his reputation and experience, his struggles this season have been particularly frustrating, and his time at the club may ultimately be remembered as a failed experiment.
Oleksandr Zinchenko
Having won multiple trophies with Manchester City, Zinchenko was expected to bring a winning mentality and defensive solidity to Arsenal. However, his performances have been underwhelming, and he has struggled to make the desired impact. This season, he has failed to step up when the team needed him most, and his defensive lapses have been a concern.
Takehiro Tomiyasu
Injuries have undoubtedly limited Tomiyasu’s availability, but his absence has had a negative impact on the team. While it is unfortunate that he has struggled with fitness issues, his unavailability has left Arsenal short of options in defence. If he had been fit more consistently, the team might have had a better chance of securing important results.
Arsenal’s failure to capitalise on key moments this season can be attributed to both tactical shortcomings and underwhelming individual performances. While the club has made progress under Arteta, several key players must improve if they are to mount a serious title challenge in the future. The team’s struggles in recent weeks have been a harsh reminder that consistency and individual quality are essential in a title race, and without significant improvement, Arsenal will continue to fall short.
ADMIN COMMENT
So here are some simple rules which I must insist commenters follow….
You agree not to give any personal abuse to other Arsenal fans. Everyone is allowed to hold their own opinions even if you disagree with them. It COSTS NOTHING TO BE POLITE TO OTHER ARSENAL FANS.
While I don’t believe Zinny quite has the quality needed to be in the Arsenal squad on a regular basis regardless of position, he has been used less than 500 minutes total this season with his longest outing being ’71 against MU in the December victory. He hasn’t been a hero but not a lot of time to be underwhelming either.
Tomi played a few minutes against the Saints but otherwise has been out with the knee injury which I’m sure he’d rather not have. I do wonder whether there will be a solution on the horizon as I’m starting to feel like he must be receiving treatment from the same doctors who worked on Cazorla’s ankle.
I don’t believe Kai Havertz has let the team down as claimed by the writer. If anything, his presence has always benefitted the team because of his height and unpredictability. Let us compare our team’s results with Kai and those without him. It is a no brainer that we have greatly missed Kai. Perhaps Gooner K has a personal hatred for Havertz. I might even argue that Martinelli and Trossard have let down the team more than Havertz this season. Even when Havertz doesn’t score he works relentlessly for the team. He is one player who never goes missing.
No, the players have not let anybody down, themselves included. They are just players who are being themselves, with limitations either with skills or injuries. We have been let down by the manager, transfer gurus and medical staff who did not evaluate each player before signing. Just because a Dacia has 4 wheels, do not expect it to compete in an F1. Kai & Gabby has always been a 10 -15 goals a season players, expecting them to score 25-30 goals is not fair, asking MO to shine without Saka is not fair, demanding Tomi to play 38 games a season is not fair. Its just our incompetent people at high places who keep making wrong decisions as there is no penalty involved and neither the money is theirs for them to care.
What a shocking article, and before the season’s even over.
Agreed. I would only say someone has let the team down if they showed lack of effort. Cruel to them all but especially to Gabriel Jesus. The long-term effort to come back from being injured, then gets back for a few games and scores multiple goals before being seriously injured again. Not really letting anyone down
Exactly
I think the article results more than anything from the expectations and anticipation coming into the season and then the subsequent disappointments. Just an emotional release more than anything imo.
Not aware of any player including those listed who let me down at Arsenal. Lovely lads who are giving it their best shot week in week out.
I’m aware of management (whatever level) completely out of touch with what Arsenal really needs to be besides making us believe we are a big club. And they want me to be content to being either second best or nearly so for 20 years …… and 2025/26 we could be second best to Forest, and it’s all blamed on players. Makes no sense at all.
Awful article – let’s decide who we can blame for our troubles?
I have to say, I have been disappointed with odegaard, but all of the players listed put in a huge amount of effort into every game they play, none more so than him, so I think that at least should be mentioned. The others all have known strengths and weaknesses, so to blame our troubles on their known weaknesses is a bit silly.
And to include tomiyasu in this list is absurd – do we blame timber for our failure to win the title last season?
All of this is pointless – the buck stops with the manager. He influences who we sign, decides who is picked for games and directs them on how to play. If I had any suspicion that any of the players were not putting in the effort, and not doing what he was asking them to do, then they would deserve criticism, but that’s simply not the case.
Exactly!
Sterling is well past his best and should not be described as an Arsenal star. His performances have let the team down, however the real responsibility lies with those who sanctioned his transfer, placing misguided faith in a player who could not even get into a poor Chelsea team.
I don’t agree with a lot of stuffs in this article, imo it seem like a piece of a highly disappointed and sentimental writer..
You cannot single out players for blame. What of Arteta their coach? Did he get all his tactical/substitution right, did the club do enough to sign players in January to ease the burden on the coach? Havertz isn’t a conventional NO9 yet he has given his best as our highest goal scorer. And if he wasn’t injured our attacking would be much better bcos of his high pressing and aerial abilities. A lot went wrong this season from club board, coach and players.
Can’t wait for this season in Epl to be over. We didn’t sign a CF in summer my expectations was low
Injuries are a concern to every team and for me it’s the main reason for this season’s performance.
Imagine coming to Liverpool with out Saliba, and then Gabriel gets injured. All of sudden Timber is off.
Not every team would have performed better than us with these injuries. Players getting injuries is not their problem but I believe we’ve been a little bit unlucky.
Sorry but this just sounds like a social media outburst from the likes of aftv headline grabbing “whos let the team down “jesus,havertz and odegaard have had their season ruined by injuries ,zinchenko has played hardly any football ,and hes looked much more more comfortable in the midfield
in his fleeting appearancs than he ever does at left back ,tomiyasu is a very good defenderwith a shocking injury record ,sterling has been a disaster unfortunatelybut no one could have forseen how bad he would be ,so for me he would be the only real failure ,im pretty sure none of the players wanted to miss the games they have through injury !!!!
I agree with most of the comments that this is quite a shocking article.
Arteta is the main reason why we are where we are today. Although injuries played a part, his rigid and ineffective and predictable tactics cannot take us anywhere.