They’ve been the 2 main query marks over Arsenal all season – and on Saturday, the Gunners’ open-play soccer and big-moment mentality had been uncovered in a defeat to Bournemouth which has blown the Premier League title race open.
Arsenal followers have vigorously defended the attacking attributes of their facet, revelling in an admittedly supreme set-piece menace.
In the meantime, Mikel Arteta has tried to shake off the scars of beforehand unsuccessful Premier League title-race challenges, even suggesting the Carabao Cup ultimate defeat to Man Metropolis at Wembley final month would spur them on to success.
However in a nervous, anxious efficiency towards Bournemouth, Arsenal’s weaknesses had been uncovered.
There have been boos at full-time from a house crowd that had been on edge.
The midweek Champions League win at Sporting was speculated to have settled Arsenal after their cup ultimate defeat and FA Cup exit at Southampton. However dealing with a Bournemouth facet enjoying with confidence and now unbeaten in 12, the Premier League leaders had been shaky from the primary whistle.
“We did a lot of strange things today,” mentioned Mikel Arteta afterwards.
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Paul Merson suggests Arsenal’s 2-1 defeat at dwelling to Bournemouth may shatter their confidence within the title and expressed how ‘sloppy’ their efficiency was.
David Raya virtually gave the ball straight to Bournemouth gamers twice within the second half to sum up the muddled considering that had consumed the title-chasers. It additionally mirrored Arsenal’s wayward and ineffective build-up.
Their complete of 0.19 Anticipated Targets from open play was their second lowest on document for a Premier League match.
That main drawback goes to be troublesome to resolve within the ultimate weeks of this marketing campaign.
Of their playmakers, captain Martin Odegaard was lacking with damage on Saturday. Kai Havertz was nameless. Eberechi Eze got here on within the second half as a part of a triple change earlier than the hour mark however had little impression.
Bournemouth’s Eli Junior Kroupi scored the primary aim of the sport (AP Picture/Dave Shopland)
The truth that 16-year-old Max Dowman was a part of that sweeping substitution was telling.
It displays the large expertise and speedy rise of {the teenager}, but in addition the shortage of assets Arteta has to make issues occur in possession that he’s turning to the inexperienced Dowman within the crunch moments.
Extra instantly, Arsenal should present character of their response.
Their Champions League quarter-final benefit over Sporting is slender; a one-goal lead should flip into progress to a semi-final place when they’re again on the Emirates on Wednesday.
Then it’s to the Etihad for an enormous showdown with Pep Guardiola’s Man Metropolis. The stiffest examination of Arsenal’s angle they might face.
Arsenal have misplaced three of their final 4 after dropping three of their first 49 this season. They’re wobbling on the unsuitable time – and wobbling badly.
“Bring your dinner,” Arteta had joked earlier than this match, in a reference to an iconic chest-thumping half-time rant from John Sitton at Leyton Orient within the mid-90s.
His gamers want to point out the starvation for this enormous combat they’ve on their arms now. Or it should all slip away…
