Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal were second best in a frustrating 1-1 draw with Manchester City and now trails league leaders Liverpool by five points. The game did expose doubts about Arteta’s tactical decisions, most importantly his negative midfield set up. Despite boasting a talented squad with the potential for greatness, Arsenal has struggled against top-tier teams, raising questions about their championship aspirations.
The game played out at the Etihad Stadium, where a tamed and lackluster Arsenal team simply was not up to the challenge. Arteta’s decision to field a midfield trio of Mikel Merino, Martin Zubimendi, and Declan Rice drew scrutiny, especially after the team’s lackluster first-half performance. The Gunners did not manage a shot on goal until the 31st minute, highlighting their struggle to assert themselves early in the game.
Arteta responded to the disjointed first half display by bringing on two half-time substitutes. This change was a big signal that his original plan wasn’t working. Eze’s introduction added a fresh wave of creativity and urgency to the midfield. This shift suggests Arteta may have underestimated the impact his starting XI would have.
Tactical Decisions Under Fire
Both Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher condemned Arteta’s tactic of putting his players into that lexicon during the game. They claimed that he had “the handbrake on” yet again. They said that Arsenal were too cautious and defensive. This approach would likely damage their ability to compete for a Premier League title.
“He has to be a bit more critical and say we need that extra bit if they’re going to win the league title,” one pundit remarked. “Otherwise, come the end of the season, we’ll be sitting here and they’re second. But they’ve been second for the last three years.”
Arteta defended his midfield selection, stating, “I’d say it was the best one to start the game. Nobody asked me about the midfield in Bilbao. Nobody.” Yet, skeptics contend this regressive approach could be suppressing Arsenal’s attacking firepower.
Roy Keane echoed these sentiments, arguing that the best teams don’t go out to play safe, they go out to kill the opposition. He emphasized that “they were all about winning and not waiting,” suggesting that Arteta’s tactics may reflect a defensive mindset rather than an assertive one.
A Season of Missed Opportunities
The way Arsenal rolled over against the very best has been a worrying pattern this season. And they held Manchester City, Liverpool, and Everton to draws. They held on to secure only one top-flight win against such opponents, and that was a match-up versus Ipswich Town. This inconsistency has cast doubt on their ability to make a serious push for silverware across the Premier League and Champions League.
Arteta’s use of subs to shift the momentum in games has further been questioned. In situations like this one, players like Martinelli have been crucial in giving Arsenal the kind of impact they’ve needed from the bench. Critics would contend that relying heavily on substitutions is a sign of greater problems with the first XI and overall tactics.
Arsenal have often been reluctant to believe during the decisive stretches of their matches. Meantime, this inconsistency has been a sore spot for many Chase fans who long for a more sustainable, consistent offensive force. In that lost opportunity the game against Manchester City was no exception too, with too many attacking players failing to make a meaningful impact for long stretches.
Future Implications for Arsenal
As Arsenal falter again against another of the league’s heavyweights, doubts about Arteta’s long-term plan for the club start to become louder. Most think he’s got a roster with crazy potential. All of the above is just the start — it’s not enough for them to win the biggest prizes.
Arteta himself admitted that a mentality change was required from his players. He stated, “So they have to change that mindset, particularly at the start of the game today, ‘Let’s go at them’. It’s as if they were waiting for something to happen.” His comments reflect an impressive understanding of the difficulties his squad grapples with while exposing a clear and dire need for change.
Even in the face of these difficulties, there is still hope for Gooners. Arteta’s squad is overflowing with potential. Yes, there is significant talent within their ranks – enough for them to compete against the biggest teams at the pinnacle of the English game. Turning that promise into reality will depend on Arteta’s capacity to adapt his game plan and build the appropriate faith in his players.
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