Sport
Arsenal indiscipline undermining Arteta efforts
As we approach the festive period, there is little reason for Arsenal fans to be cheerful and, although they showed some fight in their 1-1 draw with Southampton on Wednesday, it is that fight and their indiscipline which is perhaps getting them into trouble.
In three of their last seven Premier League matches – a run in which they have failed to pick up a single win, they have finished the contest with only 10 men on the field and no matter how hard Arsenal are seen to be trying, indiscipline is largely proving to be their undoing.
It is undermining everything that the Arsenal manager is currently trying to achieve and although Gabriel’s sending off against Southampton on Wednesday was at the lower end of the perceived indiscretion scale, it only served to offer another headache for the coaching staff.
It could have been worse had Arsenal folded after drawing level and although they were spirited enough to hold out against Ralph Hasenhuttl’s men, it has done nothing to help them in terms of league placing.
The indiscipline that Nicolas Pepe and Granit Xhaka have shown in the past few weeks, with both men given their marching orders after off the ball incidents, there is a sense that a fine line is being crossed with too much regularity for Arsenal.
Ultimately, a manager will want his players to give it their all and it would be unfair to say that Arsenal have been going through the motions as of late. If anything, they’ve wanted victory a little too much.
Which has led us to the recent lengthening charge sheet against the club and although determination should never be construed as a bad thing, one wonders if the former Manchester City assistant has revved up his players a little too much.
With the North London outfit floundering at present, Arteta needs those within his squad to use their heads. Unfortunately, in the recent visit to Elland Road, their club record signing took that instruction all too literally.
After Nicolas Pepe was brandished a red card for his headbutt on Ezgjan Alioski, Arsenal’s latest managerial incumbent would label the Ivorian’s action as a disgrace and the level of seethe that was on display, was enough to tell you that the 25-year-old was going to be in the proverbial doghouse.
Fast forward to their defeat to Burnley and with Granit Xhaka attempting his best WWE chokeslam impression on Ashley Westwood, it was another game in which the Gunners ceded numerical parity on the pitch.
While although it was another red card that had to be discussed post-match, the comments that came from the man in charge were different and by not labelling Xhaka’s red card act as another disgrace, it sends an interesting message to those within the club.
One that can be construed in one of two ways. Either the Swiss international is viewed as so integral, that anything too damning in terms of thoughts may only unsettle him further or he is viewed as collateral damage and the sooner he departs the Emirates the better.
Of course, departures are arguably what Arsenal need the most right now and when you look at the personnel that is currently available, a very painful rebuild job is going to have to be undertaken over the next couple of seasons.
There is too much deadwood stocked up at present and because there is so much transfer work to be done, it is arguably the one overriding factor which is stopping Stan Kroenke from easing his itchy trigger fingers.
With the amount of upheaval that is required, it is going to need at least three or four windows, to remove the square pegs from round holes and if Mikel Arteta was to be given the boot in the next few weeks, it only makes the task in hand more difficult.
A scenario which almost gives the Spaniard something of a free hit in terms of the season and if he can ride out these incredibly choppy waters, those connected with the club may eventually begin to reap the rewards.
You only need to look at Southampton this season, as proof that holding firm can work and although Arsenal supporters may have to deal with an incredible amount of short-term pain, they might just end up with a considerable amount of long-term gain. However, if Arsenal are to turn a corner, the indiscipline needs to be rectified quickly.
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