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Once more, the cycle repeats. It is impressive how nearly everything surrounding a club can transform and, accompanied by familiar signs, there are now numerous reminders of a troubled history.
The Arsenal offense made an additional pass instead of taking a shot. The Arsenal supporters were fervently urging the manager to purchase a striker, often turning to the media area to reiterate their frustration. Meanwhile, the opposing team from a larger club demonstrated how it is properly executed. The Arsenal manager confidently spoke about his team’s performance, potentially painting a more positive picture than what was actually seen on the field.
Can you believe it’s 2014 or maybe even 2008 all over again? What’s next, tuning in to AFTV? During his post-game press conference, one of Mikel Arteta’s statements gained just as much attention online as one of the passionate debates on the fan channel typically does.
“The manager stated that based on our merits and performance, we deserve to win the games. However, the results have been significantly different,” he commented following our team’s 2-0 loss to Liverpool in the FA Cup, marking our third consecutive defeat.
However, deserving does not play a major role in this situation. In terms of goals, regardless of merit and performance, Liverpool made their intentions clear. As for Arteta, it is accurate to say that Arsenal had many opportunities and displayed a lively style of play… until they reached the penalty area. At that point, their missed chances were almost more creative than their actual attempts at scoring.
After being eliminated from the FA Cup, Arteta remained positive despite his team experiencing three consecutive losses.
The main concern is whether this will lead to a larger problem, specifically if the players begin to struggle with scoring due to a mental barrier. Those not affiliated with the club may view Arteta’s response as a true reflection of the situation.
When asked about the issue potentially being psychological, the manager stated, “It’s quite possible.” He also added, “Especially after today, more so than the previous games against Fulham and West Ham United.” This is exactly why Arteta believes the team can use the upcoming two-week break to their advantage. Arsenal’s next match is not until they face Crystal Palace at home on January 20th.
He expressed his belief that a reset is necessary and that the timing of this break is favorable.
There appears to be something beyond the realm of psychology at play here. Similarly, there is a case to be made that Arsenal exceeded expectations last season.
Bukayo Saka appears to still be physically drained. One of his attempted shots was very similar to the one against Fulham, where he seemed to lack energy. This is not surprising considering how much he has been relied upon at just 22 years old. Arsenal’s attacking options now seem limited, with players who are either very young or lack the necessary quality. While Saka and Gabriel Martinelli are promising for the future, it’s concerning that players like Eddie Nketiah, Leandro Trossard, Reiss Nelson, and Emile Smith Rowe are only seen as backup options if they want to challenge Manchester City.
The player known as Kai Havertz is quite mysterious, as it is difficult to anticipate whether he will make a beautiful move or surprise everyone by sending the ball in an unexpected direction. It is quite impressive for a player with such skill to consistently create puzzling moments.
The morale of the team dropped when Liverpool scored their second goal near the end of the game, securing their win.
The recent signing has been deemed “perplexing,” particularly as Arsenal scrambles to secure funds for a striker.
Arteta made a clear statement about potential January purchases, saying, “What we need might not be what we are able to do.”
Arsenal have a genuine interest in Ivan Toney and would like to do it in this window but they can’t get there due to Profit and Sustainability rules, with Brentford demanding £100m. That is a non-starter without a big sale.
One must consider the significant investment made in Havertz during the summer. This makes even less sense when viewed from that perspective. However, it is not the fact that Havertz was signed that is the issue, but rather the timing of the signing.
The addition of the German player would have been ideal for a team looking to add a new element after achieving a championship, when their opponents have become familiar with their tactics. However, given Arsenal’s current state, he appears to be more of a luxury rather than a necessity for their need for high performance.
On Sunday, the other main forward was absent. The question now is whether Gabriel Jesus will continue to be absent for an extended period of time.
The absence of Gabriel Jesus was felt in Arsenal’s offensive lineup during the weekend.
According to Arteta, he experienced discomfort in his knee. After conducting a scan, we discovered something. We are hopeful that it is not something serious. It is the same knee that he had previously, so we were unable to take any chances.
The obvious question arose: could it be large? “Hopefully not,” was the response.
If this is the case, it may influence Arsenal’s decisions to some extent. Arteta openly acknowledged that acquiring a new striker may not be feasible at the moment, likely due to the financial considerations involved in securing Toney.
When questioned about the remarks made in the stadium during the loss to Liverpool, Arteta turned to the fans and their unwavering support.
“I ask for the supporters to continue standing by the team, as they have during tough times. We must support our players, who are incredibly talented. Without our support, they wouldn’t have achieved what they did today and at Anfield. Let’s stand by them and show them how much they mean to us. They need to feel valued and supported. The players’ attitude deserves nothing less.”
Despite the break, there is still a chance that Arsenal will require a new approach. The cycle continues.
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