Arsenal have notably underachieved since the start of 2016. Despite being right in the thick of the Premier League title race, there have been a number of issues, individually and collectively, which have hampered any convincing progress.
The statistics make for grim reading for this Arsenal side. In January, they collected only 5 points from a possible 12, including in crucial fixtures against Liverpool, Stoke and Chelsea. That 1-0 loss to Chelsea meant Arsenal have now failed to score against the Blues in six league fixtures now.
Despite crucial recent victories over Bournemouth and leaders Leicester City, the Gunners have continued to stutter for form, with the same issues still lingering at the Emirates. Firing blanks against 2014 FA Cup finalists Hull City last week and Barcelona in the Champions League on Tuesday highlight the team’s goalscoring issues, issues many deem as a consequence of a lack of transfer activity.
But when looking past the lack of spending up front and looking at the players in question, there should be no excuses, no hiding place for an experienced Arsenal squad, in comparison to a high-flying Leicester City team, who were only promoted back to the Premier League 2 years ago, and survived from relegation on their first season back.
Arsenal currently have the fewest goals scored amongst the current top 4 clubs, with Tottenham who edge Arsenal on goal difference by quite a stretch, having the superior GD of the lot and we’re now entering March. If that isn’t enough of a wake-up call then I don’t what is.
Arsenal’s recurring issues were further exploited in the first leg against Barcelona when a precise counterattack undid all of the home side’s defensive work for 70 minutes of the game. The manner in which that goal was conceded is hard to swallow, especially having spoilt chances to score as well.
The goal highlighted a lack of discipline, naivety and lack of concentration from a side who should know better by now, even if it is against arguably the greatest attacking trio of its generation. One must question the mentality of the squad at this point.
Arsenal face a near impossible task of overturning a 2 goal deficit after a disappointing home tie yet again, with an almost certain exit from the last-16 of the Champions League for a sixth year running. The players must look at themselves hard.
They’ve become a team whose constant familiar failings are now routine around this period of a season. The team may have won 2 FA Cups in the last two seasons but another FA Cup triumph simply won’t cut it this time round. There needs to be more.
To do so, the team and the manager himself must take some responsibility. At the moment, defending is not the major issue, with the team keeping a number of clean sheets recently, it’s our clinical edge in front of goal and Arsenal must rediscover this immediately, if they are to lift major honours this season.
The return of Danny Welbeck who looks hungrier and fresher than ever is a huge lift, especially when having to endure the lacklustre of the Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Theo Walcott for the entirety of the season, combined with the uncharacteristic struggles of Alexis Sanchez.
If we’re to compete consistently at the very top – domestically and in Europe – it’s time to deliver what it is really expected of this team, who are without a league title in 11 years and are yet to lift the Champions League at all.