Arsenal has drawn 13 Premier League matches this season, a statistic that has played a significant role in derailing their title ambitions. Despite losing only three league games, the number of stalemates has hurt their ability to maintain pressure on league leaders Liverpool.
The Gunners’ most recent draw against Crystal Palace is just the latest in a string of frustrating results that have ultimately cost them crucial points. That performance has now all but ended their pursuit of the Premier League crown, a title they were once confident they could win at the start of the campaign.
Liverpool, by contrast, has been far more clinical in turning close matches into victories. The Reds now need only to avoid defeat at home to Tottenham on Sunday to seal the title. While Arsenal has remained competitive, the sheer number of games they have failed to win, despite being in good positions, has proven costly.
After the match against Palace, Mikel Arteta was asked to explain why his team has drawn so many games this season. Speaking to Arsenal Media, the Spanish coach said the reasons were varied and complex. He noted that the team has struggled to close games out, especially when in control.
“We haven’t been able to see the games off for many reasons, and the margins have been too small. Sometimes that, sometimes credit to the opposition, it’s true that we played five times with ten men. There are a lot of factors, but obviously it’s something that we’ve done much better in the past, especially when we’ve been ahead in games. Today, without really much happening, especially in the second half, we have to be able to see the game off,” he said.
Arsenal’s inability to manage games effectively when ahead is a major concern that must be addressed in the summer. Whether it is down to tactics, mentality, or squad depth, the club must find solutions to avoid similar frustration next season.
The Gunners will likely finish the campaign with their place in the Champions League secured, but it will feel like a missed opportunity. If they truly want to lift the Premier League trophy, converting draws into wins must become a priority.
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My take on these draws especially from winning position is well documented.
Forget about those draws we must turn up on Tuesday with blood in our eyes
Used to win with ten men weekly under Wenger ,more excuses from the excuse maker .
Also red cards against West Ham and Bournemouth were not that dody ?
The Wolves game we won
So even if you think the other two red cards were harsh ( I don’t ) that wouldn’t add up to 13 points ( could be 15 this Sunday)
Most of the draws were down to failure to create chances and not being good enough
Dan, if that red card against Wolves had not been rescinded, we would have lost him for three games and guess who we were playing next?
“Red cards against West Ham and Bournemouth were not THAT dodgy”?!
Either they were red cards or they weren’t!!
But it was overturned ?
Yes to me they were red cards – West Ham and Cherries
I thought the other 2 were also red cards but more contentious
So after all that, Arteta didn’t “explain it” after all. 🙄
Tell me how close we are to lifting the PL next season. Small margins. The manager and boys will do better next season. Some critics will look at the contentious decisions against us and the injuries as the major reason for falling short, others will say they just weren’t good enough. I think it’s a mix of all these reasons in certain moments which were ultimately decided by small margins. The manager still has my backing not without my concerns though, but I believe he has what it take to lead this amazing group of players to victory with what I’ve seen in the last 3 plus seasons. The CL Victory sooner… who knows as we are quite capable of winning it. I choose to ignore all who see only doom and gloom as it’s their opinion and I’ve gotten used to it even if I consider them lopsided and biased.
We could be 15 points behind Liverpool Sunday
That’s not small margins
Only accepting that will we find a solution
Could be 15 points from 13 draws 3 losses. The invincibles had 12 draws no loss. Theses 13 draws when analyzed with and unbiased mind along side some of the contentious decisions that lead to the them and the injuries paints a more detailed picture. For the last 3 seasons this team has the most number of points, least goals conceded, least defeats, etc. All these metrics can not be watered down to some of the lopsided, biased and prejudicial comments about the manager I see here. Is he without faults? No! Does he have so learning and improvement to do? Yes! The some of all I’m saying and my analysis is – he is still the right man for us and is consistent and closer to winning another major trophy.
Tells me
The red cards excuse is based on the assumption that bad things only happen to Arsenal. Meanwhile other clubs are also having their ups and downs and dealing with them with varying results. Reality is we have only been able to win around half our games in the Premier League and this is because the squad hasn’t been good enough to close games off. Arteta also needs to look at his tactics. Clearly he is still learning. Regardless of what happens in Champions League most fans will see this as a successful season. The glass half full, half empty theory will provide a lot of discussion over the summer break. Are we difficult to beat or is it difficult for us to win games? It’s an interesting conundrum. Hopefully one area which will improve is player recruitment.