Introduction
After a long time of not being active, it is a shame that I made my return with the current issues on the ground and possible solutions that I feel might be of help. Please note that this content isn't just plain text content that follows writing principles. My aim is to analyze the current issues affecting a team I love and the way forward to look up to. Every piece of word written here is basically my opinion.
It's no longer news that Arsenal had its unbeaten run ended yesterday after they failed to secure a win or draw over Newcastle United. As a supporter, I wasn't expecting an easy game because I know how tough Newcastle has been. Before jumping fully into Saturday's game, I think there is a need to touch some observations in the Carabao Cup fixture where Arsenal got eliminated.
The Carabao Cup fixture against West Ham United was a game I strongly believed Arsenal could have won, but what went wrong? Before the match started, lineups for both teams came out, and I could easily spot the big difference. Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta made several changes to his starting lineup, which I expected him to, but the changes just weren't up to West Ham's standard. Arteta trusted his players more, thereby underrating West Ham's ability to compete against them. Seeing a midfield combination of Kai Havertz, Fabio Vieira, and Jorginho didn't please me at all because of the poor creativity that would be boldly noticed.
Creativity has been Arsenal's pattern of play right from last season, and the creators of this work are usually the midfielders. Though information came out immediately after the lineup was released that Emile Smith Rowe had an injury. I guess he would have been a better supporter in the midfield than having Kai Havertz play alongside the others I mentioned. I also noticed that Zinchenko was also part of the lineup because Arteta clearly knows that the midfield could be shaky and might need the assistance of the left-back.
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It's so sad that we just couldn't get the ball at the back of the next. Arteta's plan has always been to dominate by gaining more ball possession, but It's so sad that we just couldn't get the ball at the back of the net. Arteta's plan has always been to dominate by gaining more ball possession, but what's the essence of having more ball possession without winning the game? In that game, the need for a proper striker was so obvious. With the presence of Saliba, Ødegaard, Saka, and Rice on the bench, the supposed starters for that game failed to make a difference. I literally have two players to point out, but I would reserve that for my possible solutions. Although Saka, Ødegaard, and Rice were later subbed on, with Ødegaard scoring a consolation goal to end the match 3-1, which wasn't enough to put a smile on the faces of their supporters.
What Happened At St.James Park ?
After losing to West Ham, the fear of what might happen at St. James Park was doubled, knowing fully well what Newcastle can do. The match was slated for 18:30 according to my time zone, which means the lineup is expected to be out an hour before. I patiently waited for it, hoping to see something that could threaten our opponent, but sadly, I was disappointed. From the lineup, I already knew that Arsenal had a higher chance of losing the game.
The defense actually met my expectation, seeing Saliba, Gabriel, White and Tomi on the lineup. It became a shocker when i saw a combination of The defense actually met my expectation, seeing Saliba, Gabriel, White, and Tomi in the lineup. It became a shocker when I saw a combination of Rice, Jorginho, and Havertz. It dawned on me that we were going to have +90 minutes of zero(0) creativity. The forwards were Martinelli, Nketiah, and Saka. Then I asked a friend of mine, what has Trossard done wrong for not starting this game? Is it a crime to play a game with a false nine(9) like Trossard? Newcastle's defense happens to be one of the best in the league, so why start Nketiah, who has no speed and strength to outclass them? My friend, who was dumbfounded, couldn't respond to any of my questions as he was also left in shock.
Sadly, Ødegaard wasn't part of the team yesterday due to a supposed injury issue. There was no going back because the lineup was already released.
The first half wasn't as tough as I expected. The only thing I saw was the furious style of play from the Newcastle players. Newcastle couldn't take their chances in front of goal. As for the midfield, the creativity was missing, and it could have possibly landed us a goal if Ødegaard was in action. I noticed how we tried to work the ball in right from outside the box, but no play to take an outside shot. Havertz was quite impressive in the first half of the game, even though he made some poor challenges that could have possibly earned him a red card.
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I thought arsenal could do better in the second half, but they failed. A controversial goal was scored against us, which myself and million other football lovers thought it should have been ruled out. The check took about for four(4) minutes before the goal was finally given. Zinchenko was I thought Arsenal could do better in the second half, but they failed. A controversial goal was scored against us, which myself and a million other football lovers thought should have been ruled out. The check took about four(4) minutes before the goal was finally given. Zinchenko was later subbed on for White, while Tomi had to switch to the right side. What angered me most was when Arteta subbed off Nketiah in the 79 minutes for Trossard. I couldn't believe my eyes. He literally sees Trossard as someone who could work miracles within a given time. He also subbed off Jorginho for Vieira and left Kai Havertz for the entire 90 minutes. Sadly, Arteta's supposed miracle worker (Trossard) couldn't perform a late miracle, but I saw his great impact in the 18 minutes he played, which was far better than Nketiah's 80 minutes.
Arsenal eventually lost to Newcastle United which so many people still point fingers at PGMOL. I expected the lose the very moment i saw the lineup, so we should accept that.
My Observations
Kai Harvertz
I have not really liked his style of play. Please don't judge me because I feel that I am not the only one. influential personality like Piers Morgan is still not satisfied with this guy's footballing ability either. The very moment I found out that Arsenal was going for Havertz during the transfer season, I realized that we were looking for a way to waste money. From his style of play in Chelsea FC where he lacks speed, creativity, forward passing ability, availability to receive passes from teammates, etc., I knew we were going to have big issues signing him.
Sadly, Arteta sees him as a versatile player, but I haven't seen anything to correlate with him being versatile. We missed out on the EPL title last season due to injuries and not having the right backup for players like Saliba and others.
Not Trusting Trossard With False Nine(9)
I still don't know how the Belgian forward feels after leaving his former club, where he scores occasionally and comes to a club where he only gets to play 15 to 20 minutes of a game. In Brighton, Trossard played every position in the attack, especially the false nine position. I thought his coming to Arsenal would make him an automatic/direct backup to any of the regular forwards (jesus, Saka, and Martinelli), but unfortunately, arteta had different plans. Though he played a little false nine role last season while jesus was injured, but i don't even understand what arteta is doing now.
Late Sub
This late substitution habit has been noticed, and Arteta is found to be doing this. While bringing on a quality player very late in a game, hoping they come on and help you win, I noticed this last season when he was always bringing on Reiss Nelson in the late minutes. Nelson replicated a positive effect in most of their games, especially in the game against Bournemouth and Southampton.
Rice
Rice has become the heart of Arsenal, seeing how he plays and makes good interceptions. Before Partey got injured, Rice eventually benched him for two games, which I didn't understand why. Arteta loves Declan Rice so much, which makes me fear what might happen to the squad when he gets injured. There should be proper rotation to keep your defensive midfielders fit.
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My Suggestions
I just gave one of my suggestions, which is regarding Rice and Partey. Let's move on to the next.
With the exit of Granit Xhaka last season, Arteta thought he had made a quality signing that was supposed to be a replacement, but sadly, Havertz has failed to meet up to expectations. The left midfield (LMF) is currently not working, which makes it difficult for Martinelli to perform. Arteta needs a creative LMF. There are reports that Arsenal is still very much interested in Douglas Luiz, but do you think he can be a proper LMF? As for me, I think so, as long as he plays better than Havertz and is creative. Though, I have seen his corner kick scoring ability and also his attacking ability, so I think Douglas Luiz might be the man for the job.
With the current injury situation, Arteta needs to play Zinchenko in the LMF for now. I think his creativity and passing accuracy can make him survive in such a position, instead of playing as a left-back where he sometimes finds it difficult to track down a winger.
Declan Rice should play more as a defensive midfielder (DM) instead of playing the LMF position where he still has to come back to support the supposed Jorginho, who is given the DM role. Running around exposes him more to injury.
Smith Rowe is still battling with injury. Arteta should either let him go in January, or give him more playing time in the midfield position ahead of Harvertz. With his long absence, he still has some qualities I enjoy watching.
Nelson hasn't been getting much playing time this season. I think he plays better when he comes off the bench, but Arteta should increase his playing time.
I will be partial if i don't mention kai harvertz as a possible solution. I think he has begun to adapt and gain more confidence, although he is very slow. Arteta needs to get another LMF and move harvertz to the center-forward(CF) position. At least, both Harvertz and Eddie can compete for that position when Gabriel jesus isn't fit.
The idea of getting a proper striker has begun to resonate loudly in everyone's ears. Arteta needs a striker who has an eye for scoring, and Ivan Toney or Victor Osimhen happens to be the best candidates. jesus can then compete the position of Saka, Martinelli or any of the striker that arteta chooses to get.
I think Saliba needs to a backup or, preferably, Arteta should make Timber Saliba's backup. Timber can also get a proper playing time, but after returning from injury, he should be considered as a backup.
White is doing a great job at the right back position, but I think Arteta needs a proper right-back with speed and good crosses.
Trossard should also enjoy that left-wing (LW) position with martinelli, seeing that trossard makes more dribbles and gives better and more accurate crosses than martinelli.
Fabio Viera plays better when he comes off the bench or when he starts alongside Martinelli. Arteta should note this and use him properly.
The goalkeeping department should consider keeping both Raya and Ramsdale. The most important thing is that both players needs to be disciplined and learn how to take every match seriously.
Getting a striker like Ivan Toney, midfielder like Douglas Luiz and any player that can play the right-back (RB) position shouldn't be more than £200million. Arteta should go for the best only. I still wonder how city got players like Doku, Alvarez, Ake, etc for interesting amount and they really worth it. Though, the scouting of Timber was one of the best for us. Rice deal wasn't surprising because he was already a good player from west ham, and quite popular.
If there is a way this write-up can get to the boss himself, I would be glad to see how he turns things around for the club, team and fans.
Thanks for reading, please do well to rehive this post.