Theo Walcott has highlighted what concerned him most with Arsenal's defeat by Newcastle in the Carabao Cup.
Mikel Arteta's side have been left with a mammoth task if they want to reach the final of the competition after losing 2-0 at the Emirates in their semi-final first leg tie on Tuesday night.
Goals from Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon mean the Gunners must go to St James' Park and overturn a two-goal deficit to set up a final against either Tottenham or Liverpool.
But the cup is not the only competition Arsenal have had issues in. They are second in the Premier League table, but trail Liverpool, who have a game in hand, by six points.
Despite that, Arteta's side have started to struggle more and more in front of goal, and will be without talisman Bukayo Saka for a number of months through injury.
And former Arsenal winger Walcott, speaking during Sky Sports' coverage of Tuesday's game, picked out where he thinks the Gunners are going wrong.
'What worries me for Arsenal is they are getting excited about set pieces all the time rather than free flowing football, which they are known for,' Walcott said. 'We are shying away from it.
'It was a very lackluster performance in the second half. It's going away from free flowing football and creating chances.
'It is a lack of confidence I think, I think there were a lot of nerves in the stadium.'
Saka could be out until the spring after undergoing surgery on his hamstring, and Arsenal must now find a way to replace his goal scoring and creativity.
Ethan Nwaneri seemed set for a run on the Gunners' right flank and scored against Brighton, but picked up his own injury in the game and is set for a spell on the sidelines.
Gabriel Martinelli has been tried there, while Leandro Trossard played the majority of Tuesday's match in Saka's position.
Still, no choice has yet worked, and Arsenal have found themselves relying on set pieces for chance creation on occasion. Nine of their 39 Premier League goals this season have been from corners - a division high.
And Jamie Redknapp was pulling no punches when discussing the side's struggles in Saka's absence with a brutal analysis of the north London club.
'No shots on target for arsenal in the second half,' Redknapp began. 'It shows you without Saka they are toothless.
'No pace in the team, they missed him so badly, didn't have enough quality and didn't look like they would ever get anything.'
Nosacdlnty
0
Useless team everywhere just don’t know how you arsenal fans survive supporting this low life club you called arsenal. Failure to make yourself happy might cut short your life. Decamp from this hell shit club
but ur own big team can not beat Tottenham with anything u guys in ur team. shame on u and ur useless Liverpool club
Littleemperor
2
And this team playing like this still claims they will challenge Liverpool for the title
Ripdenopyz
0
Arteta is a fucking clown always thinking that his decision is what's best for arsenal He's too stubborn to listen Only Saka is a class above all the wingers we have martinelli is weak,Trossard adds to nothing in
True
Ripdenopyz
0
football is wining titles 5 years for nothing
Tell them bro.
Fiobclmnrs
2
football is wining titles 5 years for nothing
Fiobclmnrs
0
what's wrong with this Arteta just bring good striker that's so or you los best prayers like saliba ,odgd even star boy saka he can't stay for nothing without wining anything like Son at tote
CHBOY
2
How can Arteta rely on Harvert as a striker, martineli too who can’t beat a defender now odegard has also become a shadow of himself can nolonger make a proper pass or good strike to the back of the net any longer the whole now rely on a young man Saka whose only 21 or 22 to lead the team all the time. Rice also a proper disappointment
Cupaeisyz
0
arsenal is playing good football but not scoring and goals win games it doesn't matter how good u play if you not scoring
vouceilmu
0
True. it's boring to watch Arsenal these days. I hard hammer foot ball like Liverpool style. strength, determination, creativity and objectivity to win.
Cokbiklrt
0
Useless team everywhere just don’t know how you arsenal fans survive supporting this low life club you called arsenal. Failure to make yourself happy might cut short your life. Decamp from this hell shit club
Big club in your closet and flush them down the toilet 🚽. See gone better fine a good club to support and let your mind be at rest.
bedbdimnpt
1
I support Arsenal it has no journey,,,, a team that can't win anything
bedbdimnpt
3
arsenal for business not winning titles
bedbdimnpt
1
team Arsenal is just for business only
Nikechukwu
0
Useless team everywhere just don’t know how you arsenal fans survive supporting this low life club you called arsenal. Failure to make yourself happy might cut short your life. Decamp from this hell shit club
Lol...it's not your business, because we lost today we are now useless? Please keep your dead thoughts to yourself. Don't think you can't lose a game, and yes Arsenal is a big club take it or keep quiet.
Vupadknpsu
0
it's like arteta was afraid to put eithan lanweri to in the squad because he remove from the of 1-1 against Brighton.
tatbcnopu
0
Arteta is just afraid of changing that squad of Arsenal, Small Mentality Coach.. He is running out of ideas
Vupadknpsu
2
what Theo say true,we don't need to really in set pieces, it means without Conners we can't win a game.
Kelvlewin17
1
Arteta is a fucking clown always thinking that his decision is what's best for arsenal He's too stubborn to listen Only Saka is a class above all the wingers we have martinelli is weak,Trossard adds to nothing in
Cokbiklrt
5
Useless team everywhere just don’t know how you arsenal fans survive supporting this low life club you called arsenal. Failure to make yourself happy might cut short your life. Decamp from this hell shit club
Cescemopz
0
Theo i don't understand why the chances come no prayer
Naaacdlmps
5
Teams getting to grips with Asernal ' s dirty set piece tricks and it's hurting them real bad since it's their only route to a goal, shame on you gunners