Arsenal are easily 10 points clear at the top of the Premier League table, but their defeat at home to Manchester United on Sunday left the title race wide open and cast a lot of doubt over Arteta’s side’s ability to win the title.
Arsenal are now just four points ahead and feeling unmotivated.
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But what’s the problem? Why are Arsenal suddenly without a win in three Premier League games?
There have been some clear themes emerging in recent games that haven’t been seen all season: big individual mistakes, players leaving the responsibility to each other, and tension creeping in. All three are interrelated. Maybe that’s understandable, given human nature.
Arsenal have been second in the table for three seasons in a row and we have all seen the lengths they have gone to in order to end this run and win the title for the first time in over 20 years. But with Manchester City and Aston Villa having poor recent results and Arsenal looking to win the title, they are now only four points ahead.
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Creativity thwarted, mental strength questioned
Roy Keane blamed their poor form and recent results on Arsenal feeling “pressure”: “They have to go back to basics and accept this challenge and not be afraid of it.”
“There are still some issues with the mental strength of the team,” Arsenal legend and Invincibles captain Patrick Vieira told Sky Sports in the UK after the defeat to Manchester United. “It was a really disappointing performance because it wasn’t the fact that they lost the game but the way they lost the game. I think they lacked creativity, they didn’t create enough chances, Saka on the right or Trossard on the left to really create a danger for United. In this situation, there would be one Leaders to lift the team’s morale. There will be moments when they are on the field and they need to understand that they have to play. “It’s a team that has to put in more energy and take more risks because they’re disappointing because I feel like they don’t have that freedom to express themselves. “
But who are the leaders who can step up and seize the moment? This is still a very young Arsenal team. Everyone seems to put things in someone else’s hands.
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After the defeat, Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard was asked if nerves had affected their performance but said he didn’t think so and it was just not good enough. But it’s hard not to connect the two.
As for the main issues against United, Odegaard pointed to Arsenal giving the ball away cheaply to the counter-attacks that United are so good at, while also pointing out that United won too many duels in the second half to take advantage of the game. This again shows that the nerves are spreading and the players are leaving it to others.
Regaining freedom is key to Arsenal getting back on track
Is it time for Arsenal to react?
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“Of course. It’s never easy. Every game is a big challenge and test. That’s part of football. Now is the time to really come together and work harder than ever. We are still top of the league and we need to keep going and bounce back now. That’s the only good medicine,” Odegaard said.
Now Arsenal desperately need this medicine. They were given a glass of water and told to take the pills as quickly as possible.
After Wednesday’s Champions League home tie against Keirat, they travel to Leeds United on Saturday, and playing a side who will be underdogs but clearly in good form in the cauldron at Elland Road is a dangerous proposition for Arsenal’s current situation.
Quite simply, they don’t need to think about their situation. Players and Arteta say they are not, but apparently they are. That’s why these tight performances have seen them drop seven points in their last three games.
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For a team filled with talented attackers and talented footballers, the sudden and widespread lack of creativity was as much a result of nerves as it was a lack of responsibility. Players are hiding and becoming robotic, relying on set goals or other people to progress instead of taking risks and doing it themselves. That’s not how you win championships.
Arsenal must realize this and correct the problem quickly, otherwise their lead at the top of the table could be evaporated in a matter of weeks.