After series of loss which has previously left Arsenal languishing in the 17th position on the English premier league table, eyebrows have been raised on the possible reasons why The Gunners have been so poor this season.
Newly appointed West Brom coach, Sam Allardyce even had a dig at them when he called them fellow relegation strugglers. With a front three of over 170 million euros (In Aubameyang, Pepe and Lacazette) combined in value, Arsenal shouldn’t be struggling to score goals. But a terrible run has seen them go a number of games, struggling for goals from open play since early November, a run they needed an Aubameyang goal against Southampton to break, before they faced Chelsea and Brighton. Appalling.
Many football fans around the world still wonder why Arsenal (one of the pride of England) have been so terrible in recent years.
Most fans blame the current crisis on lack of creativity in the squad. Fans are still bemused on how Arsenal owns one of the most creative player of his generation in Mesut ozil, and still wouldn’t play him.
The lack of creativity in The Gunners’ team has seen the club struggle to create goalscoring opportunities, which is quite painful. The summer pursuit of Lyon and French midfielder Houssem Aouar might have cleared this issue if he had been brought in, but could not finalise a deal for the player before the window closes in October. And going into the season without a creative midfielder hasn’t really worked out well.
With ozil out of the Arsenal squad for reasons unknown to fans, the problem creativity might not be solved anytime soon.
Is Arteta even really a good tactician ?
This might sound weird, but looking at it from a neutral point of view, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer or Frank Lampard at Arsenal wouldn’t be in 15th position, Never.
Last season in the Premier League, Manchester United also struggled creative wise in the search for an attacking midfielder, and despite the injury of Paul pogba and Anthony martial in the team, United were still in the top 6 in the league, under a manager everybody would not give a chance. Even Chelsea under a transfer ban, and the fact that they lost their best player still made the top four.
Now, why should the absence of a decent AMF leave you lying 15th position in the league.
So, is Arteta really the genius they hyped him to be?
Well, many fans are still deceived by the fact that he won an FA cup and community shield when he came in, and quickly hyped the Spanish coach, but, even Leicester City or Crystal Palace could have won those cups too if they were still in it, Because the horrendous fixture congestion was just too much. Looks Arteta isn’t a genius after all.
The fall out with certain players hasn’t helped Arteta either, as certain players too do not feel the Spaniard is the man for them.
Well, a 3-1 derby win against noisy neighbours, Chelsea followed by a 1-0 win away at the Ammex might have rejuvenated them but let’s keep our fingers crossed and see how it ends come the end of the season.
Al Fuad Sobayo
