Mikel Arteta was notably abrupt when walking out of his post-match interview.
He is like a chef perplexed as to why, in a multimillion-pound restaurant, the kitchen knives are blunt. Like an office worker frustrated that his billionaire owner refuses to update the software. Like a student arriving for his final exam without a fresh stationery set.
In football, at any level, division, or country, the fundamental rule remains the same: the team that scores the most goals wins. Having an effective source of goal-scorers is imperative. Attempting to chase down the league leaders with a midfielder as a striker, relying on a teenager, and using left-backs as attacking substitutions was never going to catch Liverpool.
Arteta’s demeanour on Sunday suggests he genuinely believed Arsenal remained title contenders even after the transfer window closed. It is admirable how much faith he has in his squad, yet there is also a disconnect in his inability to foresee what so many Gooners could.
I have felt sorry for the Spaniard since January. He asked his superiors for reinforcements, and they refused. The club’s owners were informed of a shortage in a key area, yet they chose inaction. Why pay someone so much to run the club daily and then disregard them when they highlight a lack of resources?
I have little doubt that, in private, Arteta expresses his frustration at his employers’ lack of ambition. But in public, what can he say? While I sympathise, I cannot ignore that for someone who claims to relish finding internal solutions, he continues to repeat the same tactics week after week.
It is no coincidence that Arsenal have won just one league match since the transfer deadline. In two of those four games, they failed to score. In three of the last four Champions League matches, as well as in the Carabao Cup, the same issue has persisted: dominating possession without creating clear chances, an abundance of sideways passes, and the opposition’s goalkeeper rarely tested.
We all recognise the problem, but a lack of attacking options does not justify persisting with an approach that is clearly ineffective. A manager’s role is to maximise the resources available. Arteta is the third-highest-paid coach in the world. If his front three are underperforming, I expect a better solution than simply selecting the same trio each time.
At the City Ground, one would have expected a more innovative tactical approach rather than simply bringing on any available senior player. When the season is reviewed in May, many will pinpoint the January transfer window as the moment the title challenge faltered. Yet, that does not excuse the failure to attempt to fix a clearly broken system.
It is not an either-or situation. The Kroenke family have once again let the club down, but more can still be expected from the coaching staff. Can different results be expected if the same ineffective tactics are repeated?
Yes, Arsenal scored seven goals in midweek, but that only highlights how much this young team benefits from the psychological relief of an early goal—it is as if a weight is lifted from their shoulders. Opponents are aware that the longer they stay in the game, the more anxiety cripples Arsenal’s players. Occasionally, a team can compensate for a lack of attacking threat, but over time, it catches up with them.
If the current formation is failing, there is nothing to lose by attempting something fresh. At the very least, players might receive a lift from trying a new system rather than persisting with one they already know is not working.
Why not experiment with five at the back, using the full-backs as attacking outlets? Clearly, Kieran Tierney and Oleksandr Zinchenko are seen as better options than Raheem Sterling at present, so why not start them both? Naturally, the coaching staff see the players in training every day, and it is evident that Sterling has lost his spark. Yet he is not the only player out of form—he is merely the only one who has been dropped because of it.
Starting with fewer attackers logically means having a viable Plan B from the bench. With nothing to play for domestically, why not use Old Trafford as an opportunity to trial a new system or formation? Surely, that can only improve Arsenal’s chances in Europe.
This Wednesday, a 4-3-3 should not be repeated.
On Sunday, Arteta seemed frustrated when asked whether the 1-1 draw was down to a failure to strengthen the attack. Perhaps he is tired of answering the same question every week. But Arsenal fans are equally exhausted from witnessing the same story unfold time and again.
If the same narrative is repeated, the same observations will be made. If Arteta does not like it, he must change it. And to change it, he must try something new.
Continuing with an approach that is not working while expecting a different outcome? That is either naive, arrogant—or both.
ADMIN COMMENT
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100% right. I have always thought that Mikel should try a 4:4:2 diamond with Trossard and Nwaneri as strikers then Odegard at the apex of the diamond.
Carlo Anchelot used this last season after the club sold Benzema and Joselu. He played Vinicious and Rodrigo as strikers with Bellingham at the apex.
Or even try out a 3:5:2 until we get Bukayo back.
But how are you going to compete for trophies with a central midfielder playing as a striker more so Merino who is slow.
I really agree 👍 with you. Even without Saka being back which I believe he will be back by April, 4 4 2 or 3 5 2 formation can still go.
Saliba, Gabriel and Timber can take care of the back, while Calafiori, Party, Odegaard (right behind the strikers), Rice and Skelly take care of the middle while Ethan and Martinelli as Strikers.
I think peeps are in for a shock about Saka
I’m really concerned that if Arteta doesn’t implement a proper Plan B, we could end up fighting for a top-four spot rather than comfortably securing second place. His current system has become so predictable that every Premier League manager is preparing for it. If he keeps sticking to the same approach without adapting, he risks losing the support of a lot of us fans. Losing Jesus and Havertz is no excuse as we were still lacking when they we in the team.
I agree that the current system is predictable- the slow and patient build up
What can’t be ignored is our goal difference. 11 better than Chelsea and 16 better than Forest who are our closest rivals below us. This was achieved with being predictable with a full complement of forward players. In fact we weren’t far behind Liverpool at that juncture.
I’m all in favour of Arteta trying something different and others with a far sounder tactical ability than mine will no doubt put forward ideas
It’s also led to us being 15 points the league leaders In March !
The system or the lack of a forward line?
Serving his apprenticeship under the Gospel of St.Pep in Manchester, basically Arteta has set out to emulate his master to the extent that he has never felt the need to change his methodology which has worked so successfully for his Master ,until this season.He does not appear to have much in the way of imagination which is needed to overcome the injury problems he has encountered this season.Injury problems which may well have been of his own making in the way he has overplayed certain individuals such as Saka and Havertz.
That said, his main failings surround the imbalanced squad he has put together at some cost with the support of our Owners who may, or may not, have resisted his pleas for more help during the last transfer window.
I very much doubt if Arteta has the capacity and imagination to change our possession based game which quite frankly is boring me to tears.I watched Bournemouth on Sunday and was entertained and very impressed with their high intensity tactics which destroyed their opponents for most of the game.To change to a high tempo game a team needs players who are athletic and who are prepared to run hard off the ball.Unfortunately, with the possible exception of Martinelli, virtually all our players want the ball to their feet, rather than running the channels to create spaces for others.I’m afraid a change to a more direct type of game is not something our current Manager will contemplate, and sadly, I expect more of the same for the rest of this season.
I agree with you 100% @Grandad.
This is exactly the point I made when I compared our style of play to that of Liverpool.
To further buttress the fact that we’re not ready to change into a fast direct attack kind of team, he went for the likes of Merino and Sterling when he could’ve gone for more athletic and more creative options.
And I’ll like to add a voice once again to this constant accusation directed to the owners for not wanting to bail the team out with a signing in January.
If my memory serves me right, since the start of January Arteta has maintained a posture of someone who’s not likely to dive into the markets for signings. He always emphasized how we need to look inward into the squad to find solutions.
That, been said. None of us outsiders know whether or not there was already an agreement with Arteta not to dive into the market even before the window, or whether it’s Arteta himself (maybe not anticipating the injury to Kai) or the owners who decided not to sign.
Expecting the manager to do something different which he has never done/tried is naive .
When the full squad is present expect
Raya
White Saliba Gabriel Calafouri/Zinny
Partey/ Rice
Odegard Kai
Saka Gabby J Martinelli
Expect the same line up next season with Partey and Martenelli being gone and expect the same result
No its 433 come rain or shine!!!!!!!
I’d try something different.
A different manager would be a start. 🤣😂😉👍