Match report – Participant rankings – Arteta response – Video
There are a variety of stats doing the rounds this morning after our 2-1 defeat to Bournemouth yesterday.
That loss, a recreation through which we went forward by Declan Rice, signifies that we now have dropped 21 factors from successful positions within the Premier League this season. That makes it joint-most ever in a single marketing campaign alongside 2019/20. In 10 matches, we now have both drawn or misplaced having led. There’s additionally a transparent fragility from set-pieces, and after we conceded from an extended throw and a nook, it means almost 40% of the objectives we’ve let on this season have come on this method. Do we’d like a defensive set-piece coach?
What about this one although. In 17 of the 35 league video games we now have performed, Arsenal have scored simply 0 or 1 objectives, which accounts for 30 factors which have passed by the wayside. In 4 of these video games, we received 1-0; we misplaced 4 of them (0-2, 0-1, 0-1 and yesterday’s 1-2), and the others have been attracts.
To me, that is our huge drawback, and when Mikel Arteta talks afterwards about not taking possibilities and killing the sport, he can’t have been shocked as a result of it’s been taking place all season. It occurred earlier than we had that glut of accidents to gamers in ahead positions (7 events earlier than Bukayo Saka’s harm towards Crystal Palace), and considerably understandably has occurred with extra frequency since, however for me that is on the core of our underwhelming season within the Premier League.
It’s in all probability additionally price stating that we went out of the FA Cup as a result of we couldn’t rating a couple of aim at residence towards 10 man Man Utd, and misplaced two EFL Cup semi-finals with out scoring a single aim. I do know soccer is usually a recreation of positive margins, however we’re making them razor skinny for ourselves, and while you try this, you permit your self extra open to the randomness of soccer. Unable to deal with a nasty determination, a fluky opposition aim, no matter. You’ll be able to’t management these issues although, however how usually you set the ball at the back of the web is actually extra inside your grasp.
Yesterday was a traditional instance of that. I believe we nearly deserved the lead on the break, largely because of Declan Rice whose first half efficiency was excellent. He had a few possibilities to attain earlier than he made it 1-0, and appeared our most threatening participant by far. The cross to him from Martin Odegaard was very good, and he rounded the keeper and completed properly to place us forward.
Bournemouth had some moments, not least an Evanilson header which he contrived to place over the bar from 8 yards out. That was a let-off. David Raya nearly gave them a aim with a wayward cross that Evanilson lobbed over, and the Arsenal keeper didn’t transmit an aura of calmness and safety yesterday, one thing which turned extra prevalent within the second half.
You knew we’d want a second aim, a minimum of, to win this recreation. We turned jittery, maybe minds elsewhere, but in addition simply missing a little bit of widespread sense. When issues aren’t going completely on the ball, generally you simply have to play percentages. We gave it away, we obtained caught in possession, and Bournemouth smelled blood.
Saka had an opportunity to make it 2-0 however curled simply huge along with his proper foot, however that was about all we needed to provide from an attacking perspective. Their first aim was mushy, an extended throw from Antoine Semenyo was headed into the far aspect of the web by Dean Huijsen. No person challenged within the air, Raya appeared small as he dived (not his fault, however generally having a comparatively small goalkeeper is uncovered). The massive problem was the dearth of an aerial problem within the field, and the convenience with which we had been uncovered down our left within the build-up which led to Saliba having to concede the throw.
At that time it felt more likely they’d rating once more than we’d discover one other. There wasn’t loads on the bench however Mikel Merino and Ethan Nwaneri have 8 and 9 objectives every respectively this season. The Spaniard got here on within the 74th minute for Rice, Nwaneri obtained a couple of Hail Mary minutes on the finish as a part of a triple sub with a bit-part left-back and participant whose mortgage signing has been little in need of a catastrophe this season.
Their second got here from a nook we might in all probability have averted conceding, flicked on on the close to put up after which put in on the again put up by Evanilson as Raya fumbled it from shut vary. I would ask why the job of marking their centre-forward doesn’t go to an precise defender slightly than Odegaard, who maybe might have been stronger. The ball additionally appeared to go in off the ahead’s elbow, however VAR checked and the aim stood. It seems to be fairly apparent to me, however that is what I imply about how not scoring leaves you uncovered to the issues you possibly can’t management.
That aim felt fairly typical of our season. Our faults are our personal, they’re issues we now have to right, however a bloke who obtained despatched off final weekend and had his crimson card overturned so he might play towards us scores a winner along with his elbow and VAR decides that it will probably’t resolve so the aim is allowed to face. One other a kind of barely weird moments that has gone towards us since August.
However that’s an commentary, not an excuse. Finally, we misplaced as a result of we had been sloppy and careless, and since we don’t rating sufficient objectives. That, to my thoughts a minimum of, is a direct consequence of what we’ve accomplished within the final two switch home windows. It’s not the one issue although. Whereas we’ve had accidents however that beginning XI yesterday – kind of as sturdy as we now have – ought to have the ability to beat Bournemouth at residence. And I say that with a variety of respect for them, as a result of they’re a great group who’re very properly coached and trigger you issues with their excessive press.
So, whereas recruitment and lack of firepower is a giant problem, I believe it’s worthwhile to additionally take a look at how we play. I perceive the context for this recreation is kind of distinctive due to what lies forward on Wednesday, and this squad might be stretched very skinny bodily, however this isn’t only a current problem. 17 video games with 0 or 1 objectives, 30 factors. We’ve received simply 3 of our final 10 Premier League video games, which isn’t adequate, and you may’t pin that on a Champions League semi-final.
Afterwards, Arteta spoke in regards to the efficiency and the end result, and mentioned:
Effectively, we actually wished to create a very good vibe, a constructive end result would actually assist us to construct what we wished in the direction of Wednesday. So what we now have created now’s a variety of rage, anger, frustration and a nasty feeling within the tummy. So ensure that we use that for Wednesday to have a large efficiency in Paris, win the sport and be within the remaining.
You’ll be able to solely hope that focus issues in methods we will’t put our finger on. Within the grand scheme of issues, yesterday’s recreation was very end-of-season, and that may play a component in focus and dedication. Wednesday is a chance to do one thing particular, and that must be mirrored within the efficiency, as a result of if it’s not, it’ll be one other ‘almost’ second for this group and this supervisor, one thing which could be quickly seen as our trademark it’s occurred that always.
I’ll go away it there for now. Have a fantastic Sunday and you may be part of us tomorrow for an Arsecast Additional and extra.
