Sport
Are Arsenal becoming too predictable?
Brentford needed only look one week earlier for a blueprint on how to earn a result against the Premier League table-toppers. Everton set the precedent with their unexpected 1-0 win over Arsenal and the Bees followed it by claiming a 1-1 draw against the Gunners at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.
As impressive as Brentford were in their performance with Ivan Toney particularly effective for the visitors to North London, Arsenal were below par. Just as was the case against Everton at Goodison Park, they struggled to break through a low defensive block and were held at arm’s length by an opponent with a point to prove.
Arsenal are becoming too predictable in a lot of their attacking play, as demonstrated by their recent performances against Everton and Brentford. In both matches, they took too many touches of the ball which resulted in a ponderous performance that made the Gunners easier to play against.
Leandro Trossard’s goal in the 1-1 draw against Brentford came from one of the few instances when Arsenal were able to get in behind the opposition defence with Bukayo Saka squaring for his Belgian teammate at the back post. However, moments like this were few and far between for the home side.
Some Arsenal fans want Mikel Arteta to make some changes to his starting line-up after a slump in form from some players. Gabriel Martinelli in particular has been identified as someone who could drop to the bench – Trossard has settled in quickly after his January transfer from Brighton and could start on the left wing.
The return of Emile Smith Rowe from injury will give Arsenal another option in the attacking third with the 22-year-old still awaiting his first Premier League start of the season. Of course, the return of Gabriel Jesus from a three-month layoff will also permit Arteta to rotate his attack more readily.
Arteta has built a team capable of competing against anyone in the Premier League. The consistency of his line-ups have given Arsenal a degree of familiarity which has helped players create chemistry with each other. However, there is a growing sense Arteta will need to find new solutions to keep his team top of the table.
Wednesday night’s match against Manchester City will present Arsenal with their biggest test of the season so far. The defending Premier League champions will go top of the table with three points at the Emirates Stadium in what would represent a significant shift of this season’s title race.
City are dealing with their own problems, but Pep Guardiola has shown a willingness to try new things. Indeed, Manchester City have used Manuel Akanji, Nathan Ake and Rico Lewis in a number of different ways in recent weeks with Guardiola setting up his team in a back three for Sunday’s home win over Aston Villa.
Arsenal’s 4-2-3-1 shape has worked well for them this season, but Arteta might have to demonstrate more tactical flexibility to hold off the challenge of Manchester City all the way to the finish line. The Gunners must make better use of the wide areas to prevent opponents from funnelling them through the middle where they can set up a low defensive block.
The talent is at the Emirates Stadium to win a Premier League title, but the coming weeks and months will determine whether or not Arsenal have the versatility and tactical intelligence both on the pitch and in the dugout to go the distance. An element of unpredictability would help them at this juncture of their season.
