Arsenal’s Struggles: A Call for Transformation Amid Title Aspirations

omidbasir- Arsenal dominated the initial thirty minutes against Manchester United, securing an early lead through an unfortunate own goal by Lisandro Martinez. However, rather than building on this advantage, the team succumbed to nerves.

Martin Zubimendi’s misplaced pass allowed Bryan Mbeumo to equalize for United, and Arsenal fell behind just five minutes into the second half when Patrick Dorgu unleashed a stunning volley that struck the crossbar and found the net.

Mikel Arteta appeared to panic, implementing an ill-advised quadruple substitution that disrupted the midfield balance instead of refining Arsenal’s established focus on winning set-pieces. Though Mikel Merino managed to level the score briefly, United quickly regained the lead, with Matheus Cunha delivering a brilliant 25-yard shot beyond David Raya to secure the victory.

The final whistle was met with boos from the Emirates crowd, but Arteta seemed unfazed. “The fan reaction doesn’t matter; we have to do more, maybe that’s not enough,” he remarked. “We have to give our all. Today, we certainly tried, but we weren’t efficient enough against a well-organized team, and we paid for our mistakes.”

This obsession with efficiency may be contributing to the increasing errors on the pitch. The pressure on the Arsenal squad appears palpable at a time when they should be playing with joy and freedom, given their strong position in the league.

Having finished as runners-up in the last three seasons, this lingering disappointment weighs heavily on the players, as acknowledged by captain Martin Odegaard. “It’s obviously a factor, but it can also be a motivating force, fueling our determination to succeed. We’ve learned that the journey is long, and we must stick together, looking ahead to the next game.”

Odegaard’s sentiments were reflected in Arsenal’s Champions League performance, where they secured a 3-2 victory against Kairat Almaty, maintaining a perfect record in the league phase. However, this match holds little significance, and the true test of Arsenal’s resolve will come against Leeds at Elland Road.

Following two draws and a defeat in their last three Premier League games, the margin for error has diminished. The setbacks against Liverpool and Nottingham Forest should have raised alarms, revealing Arteta’s lack of a Plan B. Despite having sufficient offensive talent to dominate these teams, Arsenal struggled to find their rhythm, similar to their performance against United, where control was prioritized over fluidity.

Arteta’s growing anxiety is evident, as he risks facing scrutiny if Arsenal again falls short of silverware. With just one FA Cup in six years, questions regarding his status as an elite manager arise, and expectations are high following a £250 million summer investment.

Arsenal should be leading the title race, especially considering the comparative weakness of rival teams. Manchester City is currently not at their best, Liverpool is out of contention, and Aston Villa is unlikely to sustain their performance. Meanwhile, United and Chelsea must perform flawlessly to remain in the hunt.

Arsenal possesses one of the strongest squads in Europe, yet the atmosphere at the Emirates has shifted from excitement to tension, particularly in crucial matches. In encounters against the ‘big six’ this season, Arsenal has only secured victories twice, with their early win against United being fortuitous at best.

The emphasis on marginal gains has seemingly hindered the attacking prowess of key players. Viktor Gyokeres, the £64 million summer signing, has not scored from open play in eleven league games, and other forwards like Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli are also experiencing lengthy droughts.

The return to fitness of Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz is promising, yet it may not suffice if Arteta continues to adopt a conservative approach. Arsenal has become a shadow of the dynamic team that dominated the league for much of the previous season, and it seems unlikely that their star players will reach double-digit goals this time around.

This brings into question how much Arsenal has truly progressed as a collective over the past three years. While they are more resilient and adept at grinding out results, the spark of innovation has been lost. The team’s strategy has shifted from possession dominance and intricate passing to merely seeking set-pieces, resulting in a decline in entertainment value.

With the season turning into a grueling test of endurance, any failure to secure tangible rewards could lead to a toxic atmosphere among supporters. Echoes of past title disappointments could resurface, particularly as they face Leeds, a team that has thwarted Arsenal’s ambitions in the past.

Arteta must now shift the narrative by allowing the players to express themselves freely, moving away from a mechanical style that has stifled creativity and joy. The path forward begins at Elland Road, where a transformation is essential.