Arsenal’s form has suffered, as they have only won one of their last five league games. Despite their strong start to the season, this threatens to derail any chances we had of winning the title. The Gunners dropped to fourth place after defeats to Fulham and West Ham. That being said, what could be the issue, and why is Arsenal struggling?
1. Opposing players ganging up on Saka
The persistent marking on Bukayo Saka by two or three players in matches has rendered him ineffective, despite the fact that he is Arsenal’s key man. It is now up to the manager to figure out how to use him because defenders will always mark him. It was suggested the other day that he try his hand at striking, which might be a great element of surprise. Other than that, he could also be played as a wingback (he can draw those marking him out of position and create spaces for teammates).
2. Martinelli’s form
The Brazilian was a key figure for the Gunners last season as they regained their competitive edge, but he hasn’t had the same influence this season. Martinelli’s playing style, like Saka’s, may have been cracked, in my opinion. Aside from being “found out,” there has been concern about his indecision in the final third. Arteta must evaluate what to do with Martinelli, as well as what can work for the left wing while Martinelli works to regain form.
3. Lack of a striker
In the last few games, the Gunners’ inability to be clinical has cost them dearly. Arsenal created numerous chances against Liverpool. Unfortunately, they were not converted. Anyone who watched that game would agree that Arsenal lacked a clinical striker. After being linked with many hitmen recently, they should look to sign one as soon as possible.
4. Tactical predictability
Arteta appears to use the same strategies in every game. Even when things aren’t going well, he doesn’t alter. He should now be able to change formation for every game, given the Gunners’ tactics have been predictable for quite some time. He needs to play with a tactical approach that exposes his opponents.
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Σ You say it right…but things are simpler….there is man.city and the others….a team with two equal elevens, the best coach and behind millions ready to reinforce….he yes it’s a reason…and it’s the same reason none of the others have any serious hope.
Give credit to man city coach oga , any other coach with this city team will struggle big tea, arsenal got more dept than this city team, Oscar Bob is not better than most of our accadeny players , Rico lewis is no where near smith Rowe or lokonga, the difference between man city and others is the manager , pep have proved over and over that he’s the best , allowing the likes of gundogan, Mahrez, cancelo , etc to leave in one season and still maintains their composure is not a child’s play !! Arteta is not a terrible coach buh he should be humble enough to learn more about the game , his man management looks poor to me , his recruits are questionable apart from few , he need to be more proactive with his tactics !!! We can still get better , buh credit to pep for showing massive hunger despite everything he has achieved so far in his career !!!
Some very good points made. A big challenge for Arteta now. He must step up to the plate and demonstrate he has the qualities to become a top manager.
He has a two week break now to work on the squad, raise their confidence and find ways to bring in the ‘killer’ instinct to Arsenal’s forwards.
It wasn’t going to be easy even without the “four reasons”, although we’re making harder work of it than I anticipated.
Five points to make up isn’t at all implausible. Just do last season in reverse.😂
Implausible if team and manager is not good enough
Manager IS good enough.
Just one reason, not four. Mikel Arteta! Just not good enough. Stop beating around the bush!
Mikel arteta is not good and pep and gladiola is better, when the going gets tough u can bank on them to conjure up something unlike arteta, even his subs most times is below championship quality
Struggling to win the title now. From this point on he’s already going to be looking for Liverpool and City to collapse and his group of players to go on an unbeaten run.
We miss Partey. Would love to see him as a CDM behind Rice as a B2B midfielder. Havertz was a waste of money seriously – no passion and lacking finesse on the ball. We sorely lack clinical strikers. Martinelli is dangerous on the wing, but unfortunately cant hit a cow’s backside with a banjo – he needs to work on his finishing. Saka has become a one trick pony and since that day he was found at the bottom of Gomez’ pocket, he has gone off the boil, not sure what is going on with him but he needs to work on something other than strolling with the ball toward defenders and trying to cut in with his left foot to shoot. Every defender in the BPL can anticipate what he is going to do. Gabriel Jesus to flimsy and injury prone, defenders barely touch him and he folds like a clothes horse. Nketiah needs time. We need a world class CF, someone clinical with physical presence up front.
Not too worried about our defense to be honest. Its our strikers that are missing opportunities game after game. They can lob pass a ball with pin point accuracy across the pitch and have it land at a team mates feet, but they cannot hit a 24ft wide target from 20m away – it baffles me.
We probably do need a top striker and Ivan Toney appears to be the choice of most on this site. The problem is, what do Brentford want for him? £80m? £100m? It’s a big gamble because his EPL stats aren’t brilliant, 68 apps. 32 goals of which 11 were penalties therefore 21 in open play over 2 seasons. I don’t see him as a game changer, he could turn out like Lukaku at Chelsea!!
Why is Martinelli such an easy target for those incapable of objectively looking at Arsenal’s problems? Martinelli has, in every single game he played, given Arteta the consistent service his frontline needs, poor as it is lately. Saka, Jesus, Odegaard and Nketiah have honestly been below par. Havertz has actually dragged the team backwards. The last goal Saka scored, was Martinelli’s hardwork and all Saka did was awkwardly thigh-it in. He then missed a maltitude of opportunities, on his best left-foot🙆🏽♂️
Agree with you Mohlanka, Martinelli is an easy target for many. The finger of blame could be pointed closer to Saka, sometimes Odegard, often to Jesus , Trossard and Harvertz for not making much of an impact and more often to Nketian for not doing more of what he is paid to do. Perhaps Martinelli is closer to the spotlight because we expect something spectacular to happen whenever the ball touches his feet, however this hasn’t been occuring as frequently which is frustrating to both fans, Martinelli and also his teammates. It’s not solely his fault. What it indicates is that there are too many underperforming players and perhaps a manager who need to get their act together.
Totally agree.
There is only one reason why Arsenal will not win the league this season or any season. Not four. Our manager. I think he has hit his ceiling or even passed it.