Losing any Premier League game can be a significant setback for a club, but when a team is chasing the league title, the impact is even more profound. Arsenal has been closely following Liverpool for much of this season and, initially, they were not overly concerned about the absence of a striker when Kai Havertz was first injured. However, the Gunners are now feeling the consequences of not having a recognised striker in their squad, and it has become increasingly difficult for them to win games.
In their most recent Premier League fixture, West Ham defeated Arsenal, further highlighting the challenges the team is facing. The loss to the Hammers has left them hoping to bounce back with a positive result against Nottingham Forest in their next match. Arsenal fans, understandably, are upset with the team’s recent performances, and the players themselves are equally disappointed. The defeat to West Ham has angered the squad, but manager Mikel Arteta is hopeful that the frustration will drive them to perform better and secure a win in their upcoming fixture.
Speaking about the upcoming match against Nottingham Forest, Arteta said via Arsenal Media:
“We have to go through the pain of defeat and a big part of the performance as well. That’s what we’re going to need on Wednesday, to put in a different performance and win the game. Let’s go through the pain; let’s analyse, look at ourselves in the mirror and on Monday we go again.”
The Gunners’ focus will be on learning from their mistakes, both as a team and individually, and using the defeat to fuel their desire for a better performance in their next game. Arteta acknowledged that recovering from such a loss will be difficult, both physically and psychologically, but he urged his players to use the pain of defeat as motivation.
“We would have a hard time getting back to shape in the next game, and we need to work hard to psychologically get over losing to West Ham,” Arteta added.
As Arsenal look to regain their form and push for the title, the challenge will be to put the loss behind them, stay focused, and work hard to ensure they come away with the three points against Nottingham Forest.
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.
Well losing twice to Newcastle and getting knocked out of the cup didn’t snap them out of it so nothing will.
We had basically a fully fit squad at Newcastle and looked like the Wet Spam debacle. Awful.
No it didn’t!
We won’t get as anything at forest!
Like merson said I out of 12 remaining games I think we will lose 7/8 of them.
Tough couple of months coming 😡
Clutching at short straws.
Where does he think the fire power is going to come from? A team with no striker and seem to have instructions to walk the ball into the net!!!!!
Arteta has NEVER been the manager to take this team forward. For the Owners to be happy with him, he must be making them smile all the way to the bank; after all, it is on record their saying that they did not own Arsenal for trophies.
Arsenal fans still going to the Emirates, must be commended for braving to watch the mediocrity Arteta has instilled into the minds of Arsenal players.
At one time, the club was known for playing boring football. This time around, the it is going to be known for clueless football.
Boring clueless.
We knew by winning yesterday was an absolute must for us. How could they not be totally up for the game? So many bad performances even have me questioning their quality and winning mentality. Forget the injuries, no excuse for the ones that played.
100% correct and it felt like they just went through the motions.
Just can’t figure how a team loses four attacking players to long term injuries, two of them for the season, and they go through the January window without getting a single player. Just incredible!
And I’m just wondering where to put the blame. But I remember Arteta screaming that the team needed “help”:at the front end.
So is it possible that the board refused to give him the help? Or is it the absence of. Edu having its effect. It’s all so baffling and annoying for us supporters who make so much emotional investment into loving this club
I can totally relate to both those reasons. Can you imagine a board that waits until the last day to bid for Ollie Watkins? Actually what are they smoking ???? What made them think Aston Villa would actually sell their main striker???
it might be a stretch, but considering we took Sterling, a loan bid for Rashford could’ve made sense. It would’ve been a great way to strengthen the attack without a huge commitment.
Using the pain of losing to inspire his team – sign number ONE that the manager is running out of ideas and out of his depth.
Those who are waiting for a title which was not won in the past two seasons should wait until we have another manager who is a winner and confident of what he does. There are games that showed that with Arteta, cannot win any major trophy:
1. Seasons 2022-2023: Arsenal Vs Southampton, Arsenal Vs Westham, Arsenal Vs Everton. Throwing away 8 points.
2. Season 2023-2024: Arsenal Vs Fulham, Arsenal Vs Westham, Arsenal Vs Aston Villa.
3. Season 2024-2025: the list is long this season.
But the one that shocked me is the way he set up the team to defend against city when we had a 2-1 lead with a red card. We were meant to play in the box. Having a red card does not mean play the 1-9 system. And this has been the case quite often
Face it fellow Arsenal fans, we could win our next ten games and we still won’t win the League.
That ship has well and truly sailed. And anyone who actually believes we can win the Champions League, Oh dear…..🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Perhaps Liverpool’s win at City and their march towards the Title will ring down the curtain on”obsession possession” introduced some time ago by Pep and followed assiduously by his assistants including Arteta.Who knows, our Manager may revert to a more conventional direct approach next season and with it make Arsenal an attractive team to watch and support again.We can only dream.
He only knows one way and he is risk averse and that’s why he is obsessed with useless possessions. He gutted the free flowing fast football from 21/22 for slow boring possession football because he doesn’t want to risk the opponent to have possessions. See how bad we are at counter attacking. They always kill chance of counter by passing around sideways or in the back.
Was going to post exactly the same point Grandad regarding total possession, slow build up and making a hundred passes before tapping it into the net. Liverpool, Brighton, Bournemouth, Villa (and possibly spurs trying to) have shown with their quick, direct breaking as a team from defence attacking play. Unfortunately I can’t see Arteta changing his philosophy any time soon.
Forgot to say also Forest.
I think you have a valid point Grandad. It certainly doesn’t make for an entertaining spectacle. Without stating the obvious too much, the slow and patient build up resulting in possession outside a packed penalty box invariably breaks down in frustration. We did play entertaining football but the present season hasn’t delivered. That said, and it doesn’t feel that way, our goals scored are pretty high.
I’m afraid much of what Grandad is opining is based on nostalgia and is unrealistic.
The last time a swashbuckling style of play won us a major title was over 20 years ago.
Liverpool have a moments player in Salah who is having a truly great season. We do not have anyone on that level and with our injuries we are also shorn of options.
Playing a game based on control is simply pragmatic given the options we have.
David,nostalgia has nothing to do with it,and I am fully aware of the current limitations which preclude us from making a major tactical change.Indeed I specifically mentioned next season in my earlier post.
Replying to both David and Grandad
Without doubt the injuries sustained this season and the resulting inability to field a settled side has made keeping possession an important factor and then converting chances when they are created . Purely from an enjoyment perspective, I hope Arteta can revert to the more expansive football of previous seasons as soon as possible. Giving the opposition time to get organised in defence rather than playing direct football is a bore fest
So David,
We’re playing pragmatic football because of the current injury situation are we.
Well what was the excuse in the first 10 games of the season, because we’ve been playing pragmatic football from day 1 this season.
Trouble is Arteta has no plan b, he depended on the same players running them into the ground, Odegaard and Rice both look like they are not fully fit, having zero options on the bench, five full backs I believe we’re on the bench. Arteta as a player was always side to side and backwards. There is a change in playing football today, and Arteta has failed to see it or has ignore it. I think next season will be the one whether he remains or not. Fans say who would you bring in?, Liverpool done okay with an unknown manager, didn’t bring in any players, tweak the side and has done wonders. Liverpool totally deserve their success, we are back to the drawing board, Arteta needs to have a plan b, but needs to bring in two good strikers, not one.
You mention 5 full backs, but our only natural LB who is fully fit, has been benched all season.I very much doubt if the West Ham right wing back would have been able to create the goal for Bowen had KT been at LB.
Grandad,
What a genius Arteta is, he’s got a top left back he continually ignores on the bench.
And there are still fans out there who trust this man’s judgement. 🤷♂️