Arsenal have not won the Premier League title for 22 years - is it it starting to show?
The pressure of ending the long wait to win the Premier League appeared to show as Mikel Arteta's side were beaten 3-2 by Manchester United at the Emirates.
It's a result that has alarm bells ringing at Arsenal, whose lead at the top of the Premier League has been reduced from seven to four points following a three-game winless run.
So, are Arsenal feeling the pressure? What are the resons behind their mini slump in the league? Sky Sports takes a look at the problems facing the Gunners as they look to finally get across the line and claim the title...
Is the pressure too much for Arsenal?
You'd hope not.
If Arteta and his men are feeling the pressure in January, what will they be like in April and May if they are still trying to get over the finish line?
Sky Sports' Roy Keane said there were nerves from the Gunners as they slipped to a first home defeat of the season on Sunday, while former Gunner Patrick Vieira raised question marks around his former side's mentality. There was anxiety all around at the Emirates and after blowing leads at the top of the Premier League table in two of the last three season, it's probably understandable.
After an excellent 30 minutes against United, Arsenal collapsed. It was a similar story against Liverpool but Arne Slot's men couldn't find the back of the net. There was also signs of tension at Nottingham Forest and it has led to Arsenal blowing the opportunity of extending their lead at the top of the table to 11 points.
Instead, Man City and Aston Villa are now lurking just four points back.
The next few weeks will certainly show us whether this is just a blip or something more sinister.
Have Arteta and his players learned of the mistakes of the past or is there scare tissure from previous failed title challenges? We'll find out what the Gunners are truly made of as they look to bounce back quickly.
Arteta needs to get his attack firing
Goals would help take some of that pressure away!
Arsenal's attack is coming under intense scrutiny, with key forwards not contributing and an over reliance on set-piece goals.
The stats are alarming!
Apart from set-pieces, no-one is scoring consistently for Arsenal in the league as they struggle for fluency going forward.
There is not one Arsenal player in the top 20 for Premier Leagie goals this season, while they have the third lowest percentage for goals scored by forwards in the Premier League.
That is in stark contrast to the Champions League where the Gunners have not had the same issues. They have scored 18 goals in seven matches, scoring three past both Bayern Munich and Inter Milan, and hitting four past Atletico.
The question then is why are Arsenal struggling for goals from their forwards in the Premier League?
One argument is teams attack against Arsenal more in the Champions League, leaving the likes of Saka, Odegaard and Trossard more space, but many will point to a perceived safety-first approach deployed by Arteta in the Premier League.
It's hard to argue that it's not worked for Arteta so far with his side still in a healthy position at the top of the table, but how he strikes the right balance going forward could be crucial.
Do the Gunners have an Odegaard problem?
So often a key component in that Arsenal attack, Martin Odegaard failed to deliver against Man Utd.
Chasing the game, Arteta hooked his captain off after just 62 minutes, something that would have been unthinkable in recent seasons with Odegaard so often his side's creative spark.
However, Odegaard, who had just 27 touches in his time on the field against United, was a bystander when his side needed him the most.
"Odegaard is one of the technical leaders of the team, because of his vision, of his last pass," Vieira said when asked about Odegaard's impact. "I would like to see him play higher, between the lines. I think at times he plays it too safe, comes too close to the back four. You need those type of players closer to the goal."
In the past, there would have been no question that Odegaard would keep his place in the Arsenal team. Arteta trusts him and loves the control the Norwegian brings to his team. However, now there is another option in Eberechi Eze.
While Eze has also been far from his best in recent weeks, fans have been quick to point out on social media that some Arsenal's most fluent attacking displays have been with the former Crystal Palace star in the no. 10 position. The 4-0 win over Atletico, the wins over Bayern and Inter Milan, and the 4-1 demolition of Spurs in the north London derby all had Eze pulling the strings for Arsenal in attack.
Odegaard has been a crucial lieutenant for Arteta, but it may be time for the him to roll the dice on Eze's unpredictability.
The best squad but is Arteta using it right?
Arsenal's lacklustre display against United was lightyears away from their brilliant performance in Milan in midweek.
But did Arteta get his team selection right for both games?
When the team news dropped in midweek, there were more questions than answers as Arteta selected a number of his first-team regulars for a game that had nothing riding on it.
Arsenal had their place confirmed in the last 16 of the Champions League ahead of the game at the San Siro, but the likes of Saka, Trossard, Zubimendi, Jurrien Timber and William Saliba all started with the likes of Christian Norgaard, Noni Madueke, the returning Kai Havertz and Ethan Nwaneri, who is now on loan at Marseille, craving minutes.
All five of those players backed up and started against United, including Gabriel Jesus, and it showed with Arsenal looking like they lacked energy against a fresh Manchester United side.
A lot has been made of Arsenal's excellent squad depth and you would be hard pushed to find someone who didn't think they had the best squad in the Premier League.
However, that depth is worthless if not used correctly.
It's not all doom and gloom
Despite the negative noise after the defeat to Man Utd, it would be easy to forget that Arsenal are still four points clear at the top of the Premier League.
They are also top of the Champions League table with a perfect record and through to the last 16. They have a one-goal lead going into next week's Carabao Cup semi-final second leg against Chelsea and they have an FA Cup fourth-round clash against Wigan on the horizon.
Arsenal are where they want to be. All four trophies remain firmly on the table.
Despite a run of three games without a victory, the Gunners remain firm favourites for a first league title in 22 years, according to Opta.
The supercomputer has Arteta's men an 81.7 per cent chance ending their long wait for the title, while Aston Villa now have a 9.4 per cent chance of lifting their first top-flight title since 1981, with Man City on 8.7 per cent.
"Arsenal haven't won the title is a long time," former Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira said on Sky SPorts following the defeat to Man Utd. "The first title is always the most difficult one.
"But Mikel Arteta will be showing his Arsenal players the table. They are the best team in the Premier League."
Arsenal didn't play like it against Liverpool, Nottingham Forest or Man Utd, but now is not the time to panic with everything still in their hands.
The painful defeat to United is a chance for Arsenal to re-group and show what they are made of as they look to finally get over the line. Captain Martin Odegaard called on the players to stick together and with league games at Leeds, at home to Sunderland and away at Brentford coming up, Arsenal have a great opportunity to get their title hopes firmly back on track.
However, if their league form doesn't change quickly, starting at Elland Road on the Saturday, questions will continue to be asked and the pressure on Arsenal and Arteta will continue to grow.
xstepho
0
Arteta likes some players is a bad coach Arsenal used to win games while playing Eze in 10 while using a 4231 but now stuck with Odegard who’s sleeping in games 🤷🏽 Jesus also lied to him in champions league scoring 2 and gets the nod over Gyokeres the problem is the premier league bcz even Gyokeres scores while playing in the UCL we need 4231 bench Odegard play Eze in 10 Saka isn’t performing but i wondered seeing him start in carabao and inter when you have madueke start the lad rest saka
kooklmnstz
0
They're second in goals scored making it an individual thing is fair to the entire team.
roheimoty
1
kyga
haliru86
0
Arteta baby coach
Bawbckmotz
0
Arsenal coach have no experience of coaching arsenal so we need to look for some who has experience of coaching this is our four years to second place arsenal will not win no trophy this year because of inexpensive coach
3 losses in 23 matches then the coach is bad???When will you ever support your team??
Kkrexuke
0
The schedule will become even more congested come feb to may
Kosacepry
0
Arteta is coward
Yomcelopsz
0
Arsenal players are fatigue, overload with games, champions league, league and local cups, they are contenters to everything, they need to be managed properly,,Coaching team must start looking into this impacts...I'm a ManUnited fan but I think that might be causes
Babakizito12345
2
Before we were leading with 4 points and we had chances to increase to 9,11 but we increased only to 7 , the same way we increased from 4 to 7 is how will increase again. Just deliver a win on Saturday and leave the rest, COYG.
Don Zayo
0
Arsenal coach have no experience of coaching arsenal so we need to look for some who has experience of coaching this is our four years to second place arsenal will not win no trophy this year because of inexpensive coach
Is the coach responsible for the players who are not scoring goals
Nikechukwu
1
We have a fan base that doesn't believe in their own squad, tell me how they'll do well? "If a Father curses his child he'll till cry when he sees the curse in action". Negative words and energy travel far, and in this twenty-first century the internet is everywhere and these players see their own fans badmouthing them, and we want change? Arsenal fans do better and support not curse because it's somehow affecting the team.
Nikechukwu
1
arsenal pressure comes from haters and unfortunately some fans not their opponents
Especially our fans
Nikechukwu
0
My opinion is.......defensivelly people would say Gabriel is good pairing with Saliba, but its Saliba who makes him good, Gabriel is always playing the ball backwards, and that already cost us a goal against Brigton. Arsenal is not an attacking team, always playing from the back, and they lack conventratikn when doing this. I prefer Saliba with Mosquera or Hincapie or bring back Jakob Kiwior, Gabriel is only good in corners
???
dee_59
0
it won't be surprising, if Arsenal gives up on existing lead of four points in the next too games.. same old habit, what else
tinacdiors
0
Arteta is a baby coach
vunadkno
0
Arsenal coach have no experience of coaching arsenal so we need to look for some who has experience of coaching this is our four years to second place arsenal will not win no trophy this year because of inexpensive coach
bedckmprt
0
arteta,he always rotate the same player's to all competitions,no we know how to beat arsenal
resabekpst
1
Only one lose and y'all have forgotten the sacrifices this players have made for years for the club. Delusional fans
Sacrifices he must have the easiest job of any player in the premier league. He is only in because of his kicking. But nowadays most keepers are good with their feet.
resabekpst
1
Mate even greelish of city and Everton can do better than what we have at the left wing
True mate, we definitely need a L//W, all our attacking comes from our right side.
yihbcemruz
1
just one match but u are panicking yiyi no let dis not be the arsenal fans 🤔🤔🤔 very sad
resabekpst
1
the problem was odegaard, Jesus, saka and troussard they couldn't move the ball forward. odegaard must be at the bench and he must not panic in substitute next game if they considered a goal .he was suppose to remove odegaard and Jesus first and later on saka and trossard
Saka was our only offensive threat don’t keep blaming him. Our forwards don’t make themselves available in goal scoring positions. We have nothing on our left Trossaud is a liability and Martinelli is better playing central attack. Poor team selection.
capug0
3
int the other hand, Arsenal doesnt look like a Team who is in top of the table, their football is not fluid, always going backwards, you can see it with Gabriel, Trossard, Saka, etc........they need to use more Madueke, Eze and they need offensive midfielders, they only hav midfielders with defensive caracteristics.......if they want to win the League they need to show superiority when playing any premier league game and not PANICKING
capug0
1
My opinion is.......defensivelly people would say Gabriel is good pairing with Saliba, but its Saliba who makes him good, Gabriel is always playing the ball backwards, and that already cost us a goal against Brigton. Arsenal is not an attacking team, always playing from the back, and they lack conventratikn when doing this. I prefer Saliba with Mosquera or Hincapie or bring back Jakob Kiwior, Gabriel is only good in corners
IshmaelChimombo
0
and they want to win the league very sad
Yocbcimrsy
1
the problem was odegaard, Jesus, saka and troussard they couldn't move the ball forward. odegaard must be at the bench and he must not panic in substitute next game if they considered a goal .he was suppose to remove odegaard and Jesus first and later on saka and trossard
resabekpst
2
It shows you how good a manager Wenger was. With the finance Arteta has had and still has at is disposal, Waenger would be romping it. He also always played attacking attractive football. He was definitely a brilliant manager.
CHBOY
0
At last someone agrees with me. You’ve nailed it, Arteta is too cautious. Our offensive players don’t know how to score. We don’t have a L/W, . Personally i think Trossaud is a liability for us.
Mate even greelish of city and Everton can do better than what we have at the left wing
resabekpst
2
The left wingers are totally shit we only have trying LW not real attacking dribbling scorer even like Doku of city Saka has become a big boy and lack concentration he wouldn’t even want to supply the front role and Gyokeres Then Gyokeres simply isn’t good enough, if he is there is nothing wrong with arsenal for him not to thrive in goals at least 10 goals by But major problem is Arteta, this coach spends more time recruiting defenders other than attacking midfielders or wingers infant all our midfielder are simply central midfielders or defensive players. He even encourages them to play defensive approach so the players don’t even go forward Like I said if he fails again this season he should be sacked immediately nothing is wrong with this squad, this players aren’t playing their free roles
At last someone agrees with me. You’ve nailed it, Arteta is too cautious. Our offensive players don’t know how to score. We don’t have a L/W, . Personally i think Trossaud is a liability for us.
Tunacdkpsu
0
corner fc
Wopabdelru
1
WE ALL KNOWS HOW ARSENAL PLAYS THEY ARE THE BEST SIDE FOR 30 MINUTES THEN AFTER THEY ARE SOFT AND FATIGUE COMES IN PLAY.. AND BY THE END OF LEAGUE THEY WILL BE RUNNERS UP FOR SECOND ARE THIRD PLACE THRUST ME.
Sehbcdptuz
0
Asdhfj tədbirlər planı hazırlanıb Asfh
Wopabdelru
0
THE ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE IS THE BEST LEAGUE IN THE WORLD IT IS THE HARDEST LEAGUE TO PLAY IN SO WHEN THEY GO TO SPAIN ARE ANY OTHER COUNTRY FAMER LEAGUE 1 SIDES THEY BEAT THEM EASILY BUT NOT NOW ARSENAL FIRE POWER IS FINISH DONE👍
CHBOY
1
The left wingers are totally shit we only have trying LW not real attacking dribbling scorer even like Doku of city Saka has become a big boy and lack concentration he wouldn’t even want to supply the front role and Gyokeres Then Gyokeres simply isn’t good enough, if he is there is nothing wrong with arsenal for him not to thrive in goals at least 10 goals by But major problem is Arteta, this coach spends more time recruiting defenders other than attacking midfielders or wingers infant all our midfielder are simply central midfielders or defensive players. He even encourages them to play defensive approach so the players don’t even go forward Like I said if he fails again this season he should be sacked immediately nothing is wrong with this squad, this players aren’t playing their free roles
Tumknoprt
1
Raya some time he is smoking I think 🤔
Tumknoprt
1
we don't have clinical striker at all. that's arsenal problem for every 🙄
resabekpst
0
Only one lose and y'all have forgotten the sacrifices this players have made for years for the club. Delusional fans
I personally believe Kepa would be a better fit behind Arsenal’s defence. He has more presence and he is 3-4 inches taller. Hence he has got a longer reach.
resabekpst
2
Arteta must trust and trie to use Martineli as number 9 . Martineli is fast,clever good Goal scorer than Gyokeres, Jesus and Havertz.
Hi, that’s a good idea, for he was a central striker all his career until Arteta changed it He’s quick but not a winger.
daykrsty
0
Ppl l
cuceiklmot
0
We have the shortest keeper who lacks physical presence in Raya. Odegaard has lost creativity and passes sideways or backwards. Trossaud is not a winger but a liability. Jesus just falls over holding his face. Gyrolokes has never looked match fit. He Arteta has got his favourites and i have stated numerous times you won’t win by doing so. We have got no real captain wearing the armband. Rice should definitely be our captain. We need a L/W badly, Next season a rebuild. Sell:- Raya, Odegaard, Trossaud Jesus, Martinelli and possibly Gyokeres if you can get a good offer. Arteta job is definitely going to be on the line he has to be fair to his squad. Eze has definitely been treated wrong, Kepa has done nothing wrong for us and he has more presence than Raya. He Arteta is screwing it up with his favourites.
Only one lose and y'all have forgotten the sacrifices this players have made for years for the club. Delusional fans
AdebiyiAdetunji
4
is ordegard a defensive midfielder or attacking midfielder, he often plays close the back four rather than moving forward with the ball and create chances for the forward line he is playing safe rather than take the risk. he is not contributing enough to the attack.he has been playing like that since last season.same thing is applicable to saka, trosard,martinelli and madueke.this issue need to be addressed immediately if arsenal want to win the league.
teneiklmuy
5
Arteta must trust and trie to use Martineli as number 9 . Martineli is fast,clever good Goal scorer than Gyokeres, Jesus and Havertz.
teneiklmuy
1
Arteta must trust and trie to use Martineli as number 9 . Martineli is fast,clever good Goal scorer than Gyokeres, Jesus and Havertz .
Becbemos
1
the main problem I got is when the are attacking the don't have experience of how we can get a goal and they are not pressuring interms of breaking the defence to have chance to score
Arwizy
0
bottlers
till then
Faycekoptz
1
Arteta choosed a bad starting eleven without two players who were supposed to start
Yes, you are very correct, wrong selection from starting 11
simikortu
5
All haters drawing their sword. Tell me whether goals from corner kick is no longer football. mad people everywhere. same fans that celebrate concocted penalty goals whenever their favourite teams score one. Didn't all teams start the season same day? Pls leave Arsenal alone.
fecainprs
0
Arteta choosed a bad starting eleven without two players who were supposed to start
u think Arsenal will win all match if u know football try to get look buyern nayo bajikubye ewaka football is football
resabekpst
1
U get it all right but u made no sense when u said sell Raya yes he made a mess of himself to concede that 3rd goal
Cheers mate for i was told i know nothing about football, Kepa is a very good goalie. He also has presence in the box.
resabekpst
1
Kepa is taller has a better positioning than Raya, on one on one he is better than Raya. Arteta should give him more playing time. Against Brighton in Carabao cup he saved a lot of ball that could have beaten Raya
I couldn’t agree more mate, and have been saying so for months. He has got a far longer reach and he has lots more presence than Raya who is officially the shortest starting keeper in the league.
haznopsuy
0
bottlers