Arsenal, under coach Mikel Arteta, face another season without trophies after being knocked out of the FA Cup by Manchester United on penalties. This defeat came just days after their 2-0 home loss to Newcastle in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final.
Despite playing against 10 men, Manchester United managed to eliminate Arsenal. The London club finds itself in a difficult situation, with results slipping in the Premier League as well. Just a month ago, they were competing for all trophies, even without their captain, Martin Odegaard.
Arsenal’s season has become challenging due to a mix of injuries and poor finishing in front of goal. Against United, Odegaard created 10 chances, the most by any Premier League player in a single game across all competitions this season. Arsenal’s expected goals over the last two games reached 6.44, but they only scored one. Kai Havertz alone missed three clear chances in the matches against Newcastle and United.
Football ultimately comes down to results, and scoring goals is the key to winning. Arsenal lack a strong striker to convert chances. Their best player, Bukayo Saka, is also out injured. Havertz has not proven to be the right fit for the team to end their 21-year wait for a major trophy.
Arteta’s Poor Planning
After Granit Xhaka’s departure, Arteta brought in Kai Havertz as his replacement. When Havertz joined, Arteta said he would add strength to the midfield and variety to Arsenal’s play. However, the team still seems unsure if they signed him as a midfielder or a striker.
The signing of Havertz highlights poor planning. Arsenal spent £65 million on him, offering a weekly wage of £250,000, making him one of their highest-paid players. Yet, Havertz has not delivered performances that justify his price tag.
Arteta’s failure lies in poor planning and decision-making. Instead of signing a reliable striker to convert chances, he made acquisitions that do not meet the team’s needs. This shows Arteta’s limitations as a coach, as he lacks the strategic foresight to address Arsenal’s problems effectively.
A Season on the Brink
Arsenal’s season is teetering on the edge. They are out of the FA Cup, face near-certain elimination from the Carabao Cup, and seem far from challenging for the Premier League and Champions League titles, despite holding respectable positions in both competitions.
Adding to their struggles, Saka remains sidelined for another two months. The upcoming winter transfer window may be Arsenal’s only hope to bring in attacking reinforcements and salvage their season.
Arteta’s Lack of Solutions
Mikel Arteta has left Arsenal exposed. The team relies heavily on set pieces and corners for goals, and without Saka—who plays a crucial role in unlocking defenses—Arsenal looks bereft of ideas under Arteta’s guidance.
The Pivotal Clash Against Tottenham
Looking at Arsenal’s situation more positively, the North London derby against Tottenham comes at a crucial time. Arteta desperately needs a spark to rejuvenate his season.
Premier League leaders Liverpool, currently struggling with form, could lose away to Nottingham Forest on Tuesday. This would allow Arsenal to close the gap at the top to just three points within 24 hours.
Although Liverpool have a game in hand, it’s the Merseyside derby against Everton at Goodison Park, where they lost last season, dashing their title hopes.
For Arsenal, everything hinges on the Tottenham match. It could either provide the much-needed boost to reignite their season or confirm another year without silverware.
