Tired legs, or is there a fundamental issue that needs addressing?

Arsenal have had an amazing season so far and have been the better side 95% of the time, even when dropping points. Mikel Arteta has rallied his troops and got them playing like one of the best teams in Europe. But, every season has its ups and downs and Arsenal are no stranger to a down. The Liverpool game was hugely disappointing, followed by a very underwhelming draw against Manchester City. Since those games, we went through a whole month unbeaten and without conceding a goal. But, in recent weeks, draws have barged their way through the door and have been plaguing our results. Sunderland and Chelsea both tested our resolve and came away from it sharing the spoils. Aston Villa were next on the list, a team who have been our achilles heel more often than not.

The first half was an open affair. Both teams couldn’t really settle in possession so it made for an end-to-end half. Martin Odegaard stung the gloves of Emi Martinez early on, but Ollie Watkins bullied his way through the Arsenal defence and delivered the best chance of the opening stages. David Raya came out on top in that one-on-one. Bukayo Saka then had a couple of efforts of his own and really should have buried one of his chances from close range. Arsenal were then made to pay for their missed chances as Matty Cash ghosted into the back post unmarked and smashed a volley through Raya. The warning signs were there, the Gunners chose to ignore them momentarily. The North London side did come close to equalising not long after, but Ben White’s tame effort was easily dealt with by Martinez. The half came to a close and Arsenal were in relatively familiar territory. They’ve been a goal down at half time in four of the 15 games they’ve played this season.

The second half was upon us and Arteta made some changes. Viktor Gyokeres and Leandro Trossard both entered the fray, replacing Eberechi Eze and Mikel Merino. One of those substitutes worked out very well as Trossard had three chances in a row, scoring with his third. A ball flashed across goal, but Villa couldn’t clear their lines and an opportunity fell to Trossard to smash the ball in from close range. It was game on, but it was seemingly only Villa that got the memo to attack. The Gunners hid within themselves and invited pressure. The Villains had a series of efforts on goal, but nothing that worried Raya too much. Arsenal then stole back the momentum and began to create some opportunities for themselves. Again, nothing that really troubled Martinez a great deal. The match looked as though it was ebbing towards a draw, one which both sides would feel justified the football on display. But, Unai Emery’s men had other ideas and pounced on a winner with the last kick of the game. The ball was pinging around the box, with the Arsenal defence blocking everything they could, but a loose ball fell to Emiliano Buendia who curled his shot beyond Raya. Devastation for Arsenal, elation for Villa.

The statistics back up what we saw in that it was an even game. Arsenal had 15 shots with 9 on target, generating an xG of 1.92. 4 big chances were created within that. Aston Villa also had 15 shots, but only 6 on target. They actually generated a higher xG than Arsenal with 2.16. They also had 5 big chances.

Player Ratings

Raya – 7 – I personally think he could’ve done a little bit better with both goals, but ultimately they were just well placed finishes. He prevented a certain goal early on which was really important. His defence let him down more than anything.

White – 7 – He’s been chucked in the deep end due to injuries, but he’s performed well in the two games he’s now started. His best came against Brentford, but he still had moments against Villa. However, I think he’s better suited to the centre back role ahead of Timber.

Timber – 6 – I can’t say I felt comfortable with his performance at all. He was bullied to the floor by Watkins for his chance and just didn’t provide much security for his keeper. It is an unfamiliar position for him, even if he does start as a centre back for the Netherlands.

Hincapie – 5 – His lack of intelligence to clear the ball in the final moments of the game will haunt him. I don’t think he was bad aside from that moment, but that moment alone cost us a point. No one led that back line and it showed on multiple occasions.

Calafiori – 6 – A very subdued performance from our usually marauding full back. He was pinned into that left back position and wasn’t given the license to roam. His lack of communication with Eze resulted in leaving Cash unmarked for the opener.

Zubimendi – 5 – It just felt like he was non-existent in the middle. I think the reality of playing every game, for the entirety of the game, is beginning to run him down. Normally he’s very controlled and everywhere you need him to be, but he was completely outplayed by the Villa midfield.

Rice – 7 – He wasn’t at his best, but certainly the better of the two central midfielders. He tried his best to drag his team up the pitch, but it sometimes felt like he was a one-man army. His cross at the end of the game was begging to smashed home, but no one dived in for it.

Odegaard – 6 – On the ball he was good, off the ball he wasn’t. He presses well, but I don’t like his positioning. It feels like he wants to play where Zubimendi does, but with the freedom to move up when he feels like it. He constantly dropped deep to receive the ball and it meant that the Gunners really didn’t have anyone occupying the central midfield pairing for Villa.

Saka – 7 – He was all for trying and that can’t be taken away from him. He created numerous chances, in fact he created the most with 4. But, I don’t think his colleagues were on his wavelength and that hindered Arsenal a lot. He was wrongly subbed off later on as well.

Merino – 5 – Either he’s run out of gas from the previous four games, or he just wasn’t at the races at all. He did nothing for the half he was on for and that prompted the introduction of Gyokeres. I think Merino has been a great servant these past few games, but sometimes you do just need to play a proper striker.

Eze – 5 – Probably his worst performance in an Arsenal jersey. He switched off for Cash’s goal as he was the one that was supposed to be marking him. At the other end, he was just very ineffective. I understand why the idea of him playing out wide is appealing, but I think we’re better off with him playing inside, in Odegaard’s ‘role’.

Substitutes

Gyokeres – 6 – Marginally better than Merino, but still not effective at all. I’m not sure whether he needs better service, or whether he needs to make himself available for better service. Clearly he’s a good finisher, but he needs moments where he’s allowed to finish.

Trossard – 8 (MOTM) – Not that anyone particularly deserves a MOTM award, but Trossard deserves it over the others. He is our best attacker at the moment, but can’t seem to stay fit. He immediately elevated our attack when he came on and scored our equaliser. But, getting subbed off later on, through injury, is the last thing we need.

Madueke – 6 – I get why he was brought on, due to his pace, but in the place of Saka seemed crazy to me. He didn’t really influence the game much when he came on.

Lewis-Skelly – N/A –

Martinelli – N/A –

Of course the result was bitterly disappointing, especially the manner in which we lost. But, context is always needed in these situations and we need to understand that it’s just a tough part of the season right now. We’re getting hit hard by injuries, but we remain competitive. We’re still two points clear and could be back to five next weekend. While we faced a difficult away fixture this week, Manchester City have got Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park. It’s swings and roundabouts, but we’ll bounce back. We have Club Brugge next, away, but we’ve got a perfect points tally so far, so we can afford to rest our big boys. Wolves at home follows that. There’s no such thing as an easy game in the Premier League, but that’s about as easy as you’re going to get. After that it’s Everton away, then three home fixtures on the bounce. Crystal Palace in the EFL Cup, Brighton and then Aston Villa to end the year. I think we can get maximum points in those Premier League games. As time goes on we’ll get Saliba back, Gabriel Jesus will be integrated back in, Kai Havertz is projected to be back before Christmas and Gabriel should return before the end of the year. Momentum and form will build up again and suddenly this game will be long forgotten. We have the foundations of a very strong season, let’s keep getting behind the boys, they need us now more than ever. Here’s how I’d line up for Club Brugge.

I think Kepa Arrizabalaga deserves a game between the sticks, it can’t hurt to rest Raya. Timber can play a half, White can replace him for the 2nd half to keep up rotation. Marli Salmon is a huge prospect at Arsenal for the centre back role, why not give him a go in a pretty meaningless game. Calafiori can also start this one as he’s suspended for the Wolves game anyway. Lewis-Skelly needs a good game and this can be one he can thrive in. Zubimendi is desperate for a rest and Norgaard needs minutes. Ethan Nwaneri also needs minutes. Merino can slot into his more natural role in midfield as it’s likely he won’t be needed against Wolves. I’d love to see Max Dowman get a run out again, he’s been so impressive in whatever matches he plays in. I’d like to see Martinelli in that centre forward role for one game, I think he can be pretty devastating playing off the shoulder. Finally, Gabriel Jesus can get a half in. He featured in the behind closed doors friendly against Manchester United and has been on the bench for the Chelsea and Brentford games. Brugge are a very good side, full of young talent, but that team above has enough experience to win the game. Even if we’re struggling; Madueke, Odegaard, Gyokeres, Eze, Saka and Rice will be ready to play at any given time. This is also assuming that Saliba and Trossard miss out, which hasn’t been confirmed either way. Anyway, let’s keep moving on!