Arsenal’s Premier League Woes
Arsenal’s recent performance in the Premier League has raised serious concerns among fans and pundits alike. Despite a convincing 7-0 victory against PSV in the Champions League, the Gunners have struggled significantly in their domestic league, failing to score in two consecutive matches. This barren run has seen them drop points at crucial times, losing to West Ham United and drawing with Nottingham Forest. The underlying issue appears to be a combination of wasteful finishing and a lack of clinical efficiency. With title aspirations firmly in mind, Arsenal cannot afford to let these problems persist, especially as they prepare to face a formidable opponent in Manchester United at Old Trafford this weekend.
The Injury Crisis
A significant contributing factor to Arsenal’s recent struggles is the injury crisis that has depleted their attacking options. The club’s top three goalscorers are currently sidelined: Kai Havertz, who leads the way with nine goals, is out for the season; Gabriel Martinelli, with six goals, and Bukayo Saka, with five, have also been missing for an extended period. Saka’s absence is particularly felt, as he not only contributes significantly to the goal tally but is also Arsenal’s best creator, with 10 assists and 19 big chances created—both metrics higher than any other Gunners player. Declan Rice, who has played over 700 more minutes than Saka, has only recently overtaken him for most chances created (44 to 42). This injury crisis has forced Mikel Arteta to rely on a less experienced and less potent attacking lineup, which has shown in their recent performances.
The Struggle with Chance Conversion
While Arsenal’s issue with injury is clear, their recent Premier League matches highlight a more specific problem: chance conversion. In their last two league games, the Gunners have attempted a total of 33 shots, including 20 against West Ham with an Expected Goals (xG) total of 1.22, and 13 against Nottingham Forest with an xG of 0.99. However, the concerning statistic is that they only managed three shots on target across these two matches—two against West Ham and one against Nottingham Forest. This inefficiency in shot placement has been a recurring theme, with players like Leandro Trossard and Riccardo Calafiori failing to hit the target despite multiple attempts. Trossard, who had five shots against West Ham and two against Forest, only managed one shot on target, while Calafiori’s lone shot on target came against West Ham. The team’s overall shot placement ratio—a metric that compares the Expected Goals (xG) to Expected Goals on Target (xGOT)—was a dismal 0.24, indicating a severe lack of precision in their finishing.
Defenders Taking the Lead
Another peculiar aspect of Arsenal’s recent Premier League matches is the reliance on defenders to create and take scoring opportunities. In their past two league games, three of the top five players for xG were defenders. Riccardo Calafiori (0.19 xG) and Kieran Tierney (0.21 xG) stood out, along with William Saliba (0.19 xG). Among Arsenal’s recognized attacking players, Raheem Sterling ranked seventh with an xG of 0.14, Ethan Nwaneri was 11th with 0.08 xG, and Martin Odegaard had 0.13 xG. This shift in the attacking dynamic is not ideal, as it suggests that the team’s primary creators and finishers are not stepping up to the plate. The lack of credible attacking options has put undue pressure on the defenders to contribute, which is not a sustainable or reliable strategy for a team with title ambitions.
A Stark Contrast
The contrast between Arsenal’s performances in the Champions League and the Premier League is stark. In their recent win against PSV, the Gunners displayed the clinical finishing and creative play that has been missing in their domestic games. They managed 15 shots, with 8 hitting the target, and three of the top four players for xG were attacking players. Martin Odegaard, who posted 0.39 xG alongside his two goals, was the standout performer. Ethan Nwaneri and Trossard also contributed significantly, with xG values of 0.36 and 0.2, respectively. All six players who registered a shot on target in that match had a shot placement ratio of over 1.0, with Mikel Merino leading the way with a ratio of 4.78. This improvement in finishing and chance creation suggests that the team can still perform at a high level when given the right opportunities and when their attackers are on form.
The Upcoming Match at Old Trafford
As Arsenal prepare to face Manchester United at Old Trafford, the stakes are higher than ever. Man Utd has not been in the best form this season, conceding an average of 1.44 xGOT per game and allowing 1.44 goals per game from those chances. This indicates that the Red Devils are vulnerable to well-placed shots, which could be a significant opportunity for Arsenal if they can rectify their finishing issues. If the Gunners can replicate the clinical efficiency they displayed against PSV, they stand a good chance of breaking the deadlock and securing a crucial victory. However, if the problems persist, it could lead to another frustrating afternoon for the traveling Arsenal fans. Mikel Arteta will need to find a way to galvanize his attacking players and ensure they are more clinical, as the team’s title hopes hang in the balance.
The Road Ahead
The upcoming match against Manchester United is a litmus test for Arsenal’s resilience and ability to overcome adversity. While the team’s performance in the Champions League offers a glimmer of hope, the stark contrast in their Premier League matches highlights the need for immediate and effective solutions. Arteta must address the issues with shot placement and chance conversion, possibly through tactical adjustments or by bringing in players who can provide the necessary clinical edge. The pressure is on, but if Arsenal can turn things around at Old Trafford, it will be a significant boost to their morale and their title aspirations. The team’s ability to adapt and perform under pressure will be crucial in determining their fate this weekend and in the remaining league matches.
