Does the entire season hang in the balance or will Arsenal redeem themselves?

Arsenal had quite a relaxing weekend for the first time in a few months. They were still in action, but the job was done before the half hour mark. Wigan were the unfortunate recipients of a 4-0 drubbing. This booked Arsenal’s place in the 5th round of the FA Cup, where they’ll face Mansfield away. The Gunners played with a bit of swagger against Wigan, something which was absent when they faced Brentford. It gave momentary reprieve and convinced fans that fortunes would be turning back into Arsenal’s favour. A win against Wolves would confirm that.

First Half

The Gunners got off to quite a fast start. They were 1-0 up inside five minutes. Declan Rice swung a cross into the box that was met by the head of Bukayo Saka. The resulting header squeezed between the legs of Jose Sa, the Wolves keeper. Arsenal chased after a second goal as quickly as they could. The home side were loose in possession and Arsenal were able to capitalise. Rice carried the ball all the way to the edge of the box and hit a shot just wide of the post. Mikel Arteta seemed to be taking the game to Wolves as Noni Madueke delivered another shot on target. This time it was saved. Gabriel Martinelli was on hand to get a touch to the rebound, but couldn’t take it away from the keeper. The Brazilian then followed up that chance with another effort. But, his header cleared the crossbar. As the half wore on, chances were drying up for the away side. Madueke was afforded space for a header, but he was always stretching for it. The last real chance of the half fell to Wolves. Andre struck a fierce effort from outside the box, missing the far post by a matter of inches.

Second Half

Arteta’s side began the second half how they finished the first, giving Wolves hope. The home side had the first chance. Adam Armstrong had a go from outside the box, only just putting too much lift on it. Despite Wolves giving some troubles, Piero Hincapie was able to make it 2-0. Gabriel slipped a ball through and Hincapie gave chase. He was first to it and was able to smash it past Sa. He was initially flagged for offside, but VAR confirmed that he was onside. The North London side would hold that two-goal lead for around five minutes. That was until Hugo Bueno tried his luck from range and caught David Raya out. A goal out of nowhere, but they count all the same. That goal was scored in the 61st minute, the next shot on target wasn’t until the 94th minute. Unsurprisingly, that was Wolves’ equaliser. A mixup between Raya and Gabriel saw the ball fall very kindly for Tom Edozie. His effort was blocked by Riccardo Calafiori, but not enough to keep it out of the net. 2-2.

Statistics

This game should be viewed with the eyes as the statistics give Arsenal too much credit. The Gunners had 10 shots with 4 on target, creating an xG of 1.60. 3 big chances were generated within that. Wolves only had 5 shots with 2 on target. This generated an xG of 0.29 and just 1 big chance created.

Player Ratings

Starting XI

Raya – 4 – I’m going to preface this by saying that I think both were at fault for the equaliser, but Gabriel should’ve left it for Raya. The miscommunication was unbelievable as both were unchallenged. A header from Gabriel doesn’t get the safety that a Raya catch would. However, I do think that Raya could’ve done better for Bueno’s goal. Again, we have the same issue that the opposition are scoring with every shot on target they have.

Timber – 4 – His repeated inclusion in the starting lineup is killing the right side of the pitch. He doesn’t have the energy to compete. I think Ben White or Cristhian Mosquera should take the reins for a couple of weeks and, yes, that means getting dropped in big games. He almost plays with a bit of arrogance that our results don’t warrant. There was a couple of moments that sum this up.

Saliba – 6 – He was good for the most part, but was given a tough evening by Tolu. Probably our best defensive player that was let down by antics of his colleagues.

Gabriel – 5 – I’m only putting him higher than Raya because he did grab quite a nice assist. However, that mix up was totally avoidable and it shows the fragility of this side. It’s not the first time that Gabriel has cost us a goal.

Hincapie – 7 – Overall, he was the best of the back four. He grabbed his first goal for the club and actually held his own pretty well at the back. He was inches away from providing a goal saving block as well. I’m liking his adaption to the league, he’s been a slow burner.

Zubimendi – 3 – I’m not sure what he provides at the moment. He’s a passenger and the game is just passing him by. If you compare his performances from his first couple of months to now, it’s stark. He’s no longer anticipating play and his passing has become so much safer. He may as well not be on the pitch.

Rice – 7.5 (MOTM) – I’m not a huge fan of his attitude right now, feels very performative. However, he was the one that was trying to settle the team and bring a bit of quality back. He grabbed a good assist.

Saka – 7 – Scored a goal and looked bright in that No. 10 role. He looked to receive between the lines and was positive on the ball. However, he was dragged down by his colleagues who weren’t using his powers in the 2nd half.

Madueke – 6 – Not bad. He tried to make things work and offers something that no one else on the team did. I don’t think he should’ve been brought off. He was the only one that seemed likely to turn the game on its head.

Gyokeres – 3 – He runs and that’s about it. He provided no threat up top and it’s another game without a shot from our striker. He couldn’t hold the ball up at all and it’s such a huge issue right now.

Martinelli – 3 – Okay in the first half, dreadful in the second. Like Timber, he had an arrogance about him that wasn’t justified at all. He provided nothing and was overcomplicating most things he touched. Play a quick give-and-go? No, let’s hold the ball and lose it after trying to beat three of four players in one go.

Substitutes

Eze – 2 – We need to see more of him in the Premier League, because it’s not good enough at all. Doesn’t seem to want the ball and it’s holding him back.

Jesus – 2 – An absolute nothing performance from him. Decided to show more fight after the match, during it was absent.

Trossard – 3 – Made a little bit more of a go of it than the others, but still not good enough.

Calafiori – N/A –

Summary

It was gutless and it’s clear that the players have hit a wall, in the league anyway. Too many players are on their last legs and their performances are showing that. There needs to be a shake up and I’m not sure what even needs to happen. If this team wants to win the big trophies, then they have to step up. We cannot allow a team as bad as Wolves to look competitive and yet we did. All we can do is go again and a win over Spurs will go some way to restoring some faith. A loss and I can’t imagine the kind of fallout we’ll see. With that in mind, here’s how I’d want to lineup against Spurs, not what I think Arteta will do.

Arsenal Lineup

As I said above, this is how I’d like us to line up. Arteta will never abandon his 4-3-3/4-2-3-1 though. What I like about this formation is that it’ll allow us to press better and also progress the ball through the middle of the pitch. I want White and Christian Norgaard in the side as they’ve definitely earned some minutes, even in a big game. White and Calafiori can hold the width, with everything else getting funnelled through the middle. Norgaard can sit in the lone ‘6’ role and spray balls all over the pitch. We need Rice’s energy, so he definitely gets in. Despite my complaints about both Gyokeres and Martinelli, they both will play a part here. Gyokeres can battle the defenders with Martinelli slotting in between anyone that was dragged away by Gyokeres. Whatever we do, we can’t go into another match with the same system and the same personnel. Spurs will punish us, even with all their injuries. Let’s get it!