Good early morning to everybody!

This week is critical as we explore the awesome environment of the Champions League. Mikel Arteta will attend to the media later on today, and it’s extremely prepared for that he will stress the enjoyment surrounding our approaching match versus Real Madrid—a group whose team was revealed simply the other day. Their lineup includes some excellent skills, which definitely contributes to the obstacle we deal with.

As for our team, I don’t predict any brand-new additions at this phase, however the favorable news is that we ought to have all gamers readily available who took part versus Everton, with the exception of Raheem Sterling, who is presently serving a suspension. Later this afternoon, we will cover all the insights from the supervisor on Arseblog News.

Before we reach that point, I wish to take a minute to assess a thought-provoking concern postured to the supervisor after the match versus Everton relating to whether Arsenal has actually drawn a lot of video games this season. He openly reacted:

It truly is. You need to win much more video games, particularly when there is a group that continuously is winning.

Currently, Arsenal has actually just dealt with defeat 3 times in the league this season, while Liverpool has actually seen simply 2 losses. In contrast, numerous groups, consisting of Nottingham Forest, Chelsea, Aston Villa, and Brighton, have actually each suffered 8 losses. For a touch of humor, Tottenham Hotspur has actually been on the losing end a shocking 16 times given that August. While Liverpool has actually drawn 7 matches, we have actually drawn eleven, and this variation highlights our present position.

Without meaning to stimulate any heated conversations today, I seized the day to evaluate those draws and examine how each video game unfolded. Let’s dive into the information.

Match Review: Arsenal vs. Brighton – August 31st

The match began favorably till Declan Rice got a red card, a choice that substantially affected the video game’s result. It’s reasonable to conclude that the referee’s judgment played a crucial function in this draw.

Arseblog decision: If Pedro had actually gotten a reservation for kicking the ball away in the very first half, we might not have actually objected to the Rice event. The application of the guidelines appeared irregular, which feels basically unfair.

Match Review: Man City vs. Arsenal – September 22nd

We discovered ourselves having fun with ten males in the 2nd half after Leandro Trossard got a doubtful red card. Despite the chances, we almost protected a triumph however yielded a last-minute equalizer. Once once again, it seemed like the authorities, instead of our own efficiency, cost us important points, as I think we would have won if we had actually kept eleven gamers on the pitch.

Arseblog decision: Every season, the space to City narrows, and this time they could not protect a win versus us—even with the benefit they got. In the past, we were a simple target, today we’ve transformed into a formidable opponent.

Match Review: Arsenal vs. Liverpool – October 27th

A dramatic late goal from Mohamed Salah earned Liverpool a draw in a match where we fielded a makeshift back four comprising Thomas Partey, Ben White, Jakub Kiwior, and a budding Myles Lewis-Skelly, with William Saliba suspended due to a prior red card against Bournemouth.

Arseblog verdict: This was a game we had firmly within our grasp but allowed to slip away. The discussion around our defense is crucial, particularly how the absence of our central defensive pairing affected the team’s overall stability. Their partnership is arguably the strongest in the Premier League, and we ended the match without either player.

Match Review: Chelsea vs. Arsenal – November 10th

Gabriel Martinelli opened the scoring, but Pedro Neto equalized later in the match. A late opportunity to seize the win arose when Trossard intercepted the ball from Havertz, but the potential goal may have been ruled offside.

Arseblog verdict: In the broader context of the match, a draw is not overly disappointing. While it is frustrating to lose a lead, this was our fourth consecutive away match, and as the manager noted, the squad has faced significant physical demands.

Match Review: Fulham vs. Arsenal – December 8th

Fulham took an early lead, but we equalized shortly after the break and dominated possession and territory throughout the match. However, it became apparent that we struggled against their low-block defense, which has often been our Achilles’ heel.

Arseblog verdict: I would be surprised if internal discussions about enhancing our attack haven’t already occurred. It is crucial to prioritize this issue moving forward. There will always be instances when our starting eleven does not meet expectations, and having effective substitutes is the key difference between securing one point versus three, which is essential for maintaining a title challenge.

Match Review: Arsenal vs. Everton – December 14th

This match is somewhat forgettable for me, but the statistics reveal that we dominated possession with 77%. Our chances in the first half were notably better than in the second. Everton’s strategy focused on limiting our space, and we struggled to penetrate their low-block defense.

Arseblog verdict: The effort and application were evident, but we lacked that extra spark that this team desperately needs. Whether termed individualism or something else, it’s clear that we require at least one more addition to our forward line as soon as possible.

Match Review: Brighton vs. Arsenal – January 4th

Ethan Nwaneri scored early, giving us the lead, but Brighton was awarded a controversial penalty following a clash of heads in our box. This season has seen too many of these unusual scenarios. VAR failed to recognize Saliba‘s touch on the ball, which seems to be a recurring theme.

Arseblog verdict: We have faced considerable misfortune at times this season, but the harsh reality is that we lack the necessary firepower to overcome these challenges. While some events are beyond our control, we can influence how we build our squad. If football is a game often decided by fine margins, we have actually been on the wrong side of them too frequently.

Match Review: Arsenal vs. Aston Villa – January 18th

After leading 2-0 and appearing in control, our defensive vulnerabilities allowed Aston Villa to claw their way back into the game. We thought we secured a late win, but Merino‘s shot was ruled out due to a handball by Havertz. With injuries to Saka and Jesus, our bench options were limited, and Arteta hesitated before bringing on Sterling, who had little impact.

Arseblog verdict: This was yet another match we had firmly in our grasp but allowed to slip away. Following the result versus Liverpool, the disappointment felt particularly acute. It’s evident we are short on game-changers and match-winners, compounded by injuries that hinder our performance.

Match Review: Nottingham Forest vs. Arsenal – February 26th

This match followed a defeat to West Ham and preceded our critical Champions League clash against PSV. Arsenal managed 13 shots but only one on target despite holding 65% possession. Nottingham Forest is one of the form teams this season, so a draw away from home might not be a terrible result, but it adds yet another draw to our tally.

Arseblog decision: When Raheem Sterling came on, his 15 minutes of play highlighted why the manager has opted not to start him even amid our current forward crisis.

Match Review: Man Utd vs. Arsenal – March 9th

We required a late equalizer from Declan Rice to level the score against a Manchester United side that has been struggling. Bruno Fernandes scored from a free kick, which felt unjust given the flow of the game. We dominated the first half, however with Havertz injured, our attacking options were sparse, leading to Merino starting up front and Kieran Tierney coming on as an attacking substitute.

Arseblog verdict: The first half encapsulated Arsenal’s current situation. We significantly outperformed Manchester United at their home ground, displaying sharpness and energy, yet we lacked the finishing touch.

Match Review: Everton vs. Arsenal – April 7th

As discussed yesterday, this match exemplified poor officiating. It also highlighted the root cause of our numerous draws this season: a lack of attacking options.

Reflecting on Arsenal’s Season: The Need for Improvement

I’m uncertain whether this analysis leaves me feeling more optimistic or frustrated. The recurring theme of an attack lacking potency stands out to me, despite several games being heavily influenced by refereeing decisions and VAR. If one wishes to blame our last summer transfer windows, that’s a valid perspective, as they significantly contribute to our current situation.

From a more optimistic viewpoint, one could argue that, despite fundamental issues, injuries, suspensions, and inconsistent officiating, it’s commendable that we remain in second place. Our infrequent losses are indeed a positive aspect. Furthermore, as we approach the upcoming summer transfer window, the solutions seem straightforward, albeit potentially costly. It doesn’t require a genius to identify the necessary adjustments needed within the squad. Your perspective may vary, of course.

For now, I’ll wrap up this conversation, however stay tuned for our latest Arsecast Extra today. We’ve currently solicited questions via BlueSky @gunnerblog.bsky.social and @arseblog.com with the hashtag #arsecastextra. If you’re an Arseblog Member on Patreon, feel free to post your question in the #arsecast-additional-questions channel on our Discord server.

The podcast should be available by mid-morning. Until then, have actually a fantastic day! And if you’re looking for something to listen to in the meantime, take pleasure in a perk Arsecast including Ian Wright listed below. Take care!