Overall, the improvement under Arteta has been clear. The statistics back it up, the eye-test backs it up and the results back it up. We've gone from wallowing in midtable mediocrity to competing at the top end of the table and playing Champions League football. Our style of play is delectable. We have an excellent starting XI and the strongest bench/bunch of rotation options that I've seen for years. Yet there have been questions marks over Arteta and Arsenal's ability to deliver during critical, high-pressure, high-stakes moments. During 2021/22, we overperformed to even be in a top-4 race, considering where many expected us to be. Much to our surprise, we ended up putting ourselves in pole position to get that coveted 4th place. Unfortunately, we blew it during the final 3 games (including a 3-0 loss to Spurs) and ended up losing out on a Champions League spot to our North London neighbours no less. During 2022/23, we massively overperformed to be challenging for the title. We were 8 points clear at the top with 7 games to go. Regrettably, when April came round, our form nosedived and we had to settle for 2nd place as Man City's experience and quality showed. We had a really good season overall, but the underlying view was this felt like a huge opportunity missed considering the position we found ourselves in. This season, it's slightly different as we've not been in a commanding situation over our rivals compared to the previous two seasons. However, we've still found ourselves in a juicy three-way title race with Liverpool and Man City, whilst having control of the league. During the run-in, Arsenal were objectively considered to have the hardest fixtures of the three sides. But it's down to us to step up and prove why we are credible title favourites. And here we are again - back in April - to see whether the players can right the wrongs from last year. They haven't been able to. This feeling is too eerily familiar. Granted, April is not over yet, but it's not been a good month so far. And, for all intents and purposes, Man City are now expected to win the league from this point based on their experience, quality and knowhow. This could be three years in a row where Arsenal haven't been able to get over the finishing line and deliver something special when they've been in a good position to. So, my questions are: If Arsenal don't win the league again, do we need to have concerns about our ability to handle pressure? And if the answer to that question is 'yes', then where we do go from here? Do we believe Arteta is the man who can deliver big trophies for us?
I still think we're on an upwards curve. The bar set by Man City is so high, that one slip up can cost you. (It remains to be seen whether that Villa result has) I think we still need one or two tweeks to our squad, and whilst we've been sharing the goals around this season, we still need a proven goal scorer up top. Given where Arteta has taken us from, to where we are now. I'd say he's the man to continue this journey.
Maybe read the whole article properly before making stupid comments. Wouldn't hurt to improve your comprehension skills at all. Cheers for your useless contribution as per usual, though
For me, it's not the recent Villa loss that will cost us the league. It's the run of 1 win in 7 we had back in December, that included losses to Newcastle, Villa, West Ham and Fulham. You can't drop that may points and expect to win the league against Pep's Man City. It says a lot we've won 10, drawn 1 and lost 1 out of 12, yet still find ourselves 2 points behind City. I'm a bit conflicted about where I stand. I'm not saying we should sack Arteta by any means, but I am concerned that we are going to be perennial 'nearly men'. And that's not what I want us to be known for. Playing good football, competing across multiple fronts, yet finishing empty handed. Otherwise what's the difference between us and Pochettino's Spurs team? I am also frustrated that he's making similar mistakes to previous years and that he's not using the squad properly, leading to some players clearly being burnt out, and other players unready to make an impact due to their lack of match time. Recruitment in the Summer wasn't what it should have been and I said that at the time because we didn't get the versatile forward we needed and we didn't actually replace Xhaka properly. There's still an imbalance in the middle of the pitch that's not been resolved which affects our dynamics. I think, if as is looking likely, we end this season trophyless, and assuming Arteta has another Summer where he spends close to £200m+. there's going to be huge pressure on Arteta to deliver tangible success next season. The longer we go without winning something, it increases the pressure on this group of players and manager.
We had a woeful December, but it's testament to the team that they came back so well after that and kept themselves in contention. This is the first blip since then, and whilst that loss to Villa was a costly one, it all depends on how we respond. I agree that the squad isn't being used properly. Players like Saka are being overused and players like Nelson underused. One of the things Ollie Watkins said yesterday in his post match interview, was that they could see Arsenal were tiring after about 25 mins into the 2nd half. Some of that will probably be the effect of playing Man City and then Bayern Munich, and I think some of our mentality going into this game might have been that it wouldn't be as hard as those two games What's clear now though, is that every game until the end of the season is like a cup final. There is zero room for error. As for going forward. We still need a proven goal scorer. Somebody like Ollie Watkins would be brilliant. I actually think the midfield has been pretty well balanced with Rice, Jorginho and Odegaard. What sort of player would you want to be adding into that mix ? I don't see any point changing manager, Arteta is doing a really good job imo. And yes, he will ultimately be measured by whether he can win any trophies, so if he doesn't deliver this season, then the pressure in on next season.
My biggest issue with Arteta is something Rafael Benitez used to do as well. He changes a winning side for almost no real reason. He did it last Season and now he's doing it again. Up until Dec this year we were playing .... Havertz.......Rice.......Odegaard... in midfield. Although on paper more attacking we actually score and create less with this lineup because Odegaard plays a little deeper more of an 8 than a 10. After the Dubai trip we went back to a similar setup as 22/23 with ......Rice.......Jorginho.......Odegaard and we started scoring more while conceding less. We actually lost to Villa earlier in the Season with Havertz in midfield. I have absolutely NO IDEA why Arteta reverted back to this System on Sunday. I get adapting to the opposition but as Alex Ferguson used to say ' You don't change a winning side'.
Rice, Jorginho and Odegaard works sometimes, but the lack of athleticism, combination play on the left hand side and running power is a problem especially in the modern game. We’re being heavily linked with Zubimendi, although I’m not convinced this is the right profile personally. I’d still want someone like Locatelli, Fofana, Onana…maybe if we want to be cheeky, try for Bruno Guimarares. These are the profiles of players we need to be looking at. Players who are strong duel-winners, can tackle, cover ground, good technically, good passing range and can connect midfield to attack.
Sometimes... it's what 11 wins and two draws in the league this Season with that formation. The Bayer game in the UCL was different because Arteta tinkered again and the defence was pushing up higher than normal. There was some strange tactics Disagreee - Zubimendi is perfect for us, Rice is a runner, Havertz is a runner we need more playmaking/creativity. Onana is completely the wrong profile. IMO
Of course, but the season isn't from January to May, it's from August to May. We were having huge midfield and performance issues for the first half of the season. Jorginho, Rice and Odegaard as our midfield 3, for me, is not sustainable for the whole season. I also am not convinced it will work for every opponent. We need to improve the quality of our depth because Arteta would rather overuse some of these players, instead of turning to his bench. I agree about tactics, but personnel (and obviously the way they were used) was an issue too. Regarding Zubimendi, the guy looks like a more mobile version of Jorginho. I've only watched him a few times, so I'm not going to pretend I'm an expert, but I really am sceptical about whether he's right for us and whether this signing will elevate us to the next level. Havertz for me is tactically intelligent, but his execution and decisiveness in the final third isn't as good as it should be from a £65m player. I still don't believe this was a value signing that we needed. For me, I feel like we need midfield players who can drive through the middle, suffocate you in the counterpress, power through low blocks and can fulfil both defensive/attacking elements (proper B2B). Zubimendi doesn't appear to be this style of player.
To be fair - we have one of the highest points totals for a Second half of a Season in EPL History this year. But I still maintain Artetas tactical ****ery for the Villa game arguably cost us the title. Saying that I wouldn't be surprised if WHU United some how nick a point on Sunday.
Villa are a very good team and it's the only loss we've had all year. I can't begrudge us losing 1 game out of 17. The draw and loss to Fulham, and the loss at home to West Ham, are the results which irk me the most. Those teams are nowhere near as good as Villa, yet we played terribly in those games.
Don't think it's over until Sunday...city could easily have dropped points v us. Son missed a 1 v 1 and their keeper made 2 good saves (one of which he got lucky with as the ball went through his legs but stopped before going over the line. They will give west ham chances IMHO and can see them playing with real freedom as its moyes' last game. Obviously hope I'm chatting white though.
It's not the fact we lost to Villa - it's the fact we changed the team/shape for no apparent reason at all - while on a winning run. Just the whole thing felt like unnecessary tactical tinkering - and that ultimately back-fired and cost us the points.
