Sometimes the solution is not technique or tactics or strategy but simply giving it everything you’ve got. Ruud Gullit probably did not have Arsenal in mind when he gave this quote but after two poor performances in a row it applies more than Arteta would like.
There are a lot of advantages to creating a team with a strict tactical plan. At least when it works, Arsenal over the past two games have been a case study for when things go wrong for a team like that. I was campaigning for Arteta to embrace the chaos and the inclusion of Nicholas Pepe and Joe Willock in the starting lineup against Leeds was a step in that direction. The international break helped to heal some of the wounds from the tepid performance against Aston Villa and the added bonus of finally getting to see Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang playing through the middle meant that there was widespread positivity before the game.
That positive feeling was short-lived though. Before long it was apparent that Leeds were in charge of the game and Arsenal were just along for the ride. It was almost as if the game against Villa had never ended. There were some bright spots however, Joe Willock constantly looked to force the issue but that desire often took him on mazy runs that did not result in much in terms of an end product. Nicholas Pepe also attempted to create something out of nothing, he saw a cross-cum-shot came off the crossbar and he also curled a shot wide.
The unfortunate side effect of the unimaginative offence was that the defence was put under constant pressure. Arteta has got many plaudits for improving Arsenal’s defensive performances and it’s high point against Manchester United was deserving of praise. However it has been downhill since then, the Arsenal backline looked the opposite of assured against Aston Villa and despite Arteta’s strong words after that that game, not much changed. There was a strange fragility about the defensive performance on Sunday and Leeds would be quite disappointed that they were unable to take advantage.
It would be tough to say that any single member of the Arsenal defence had a bad game individually but as a collective the steel they had shown against Manchester United was simply non-existent. Crosses were not being cut out and the quick interplay between the Leeds players too often left the Arsenal defenders stranded. The apparent price that had to be paid for Arteta’s newfound defensive solidity was the side’s attacking flair but now when even the defence does not look as solid questions will be asked.
The body language of the Arsenal players was the most worrying part of the performance and it was something that had carried over from the last outing against Villa. In possession passing was ponderous and laboured and far too often sloppy. This meant that moves broke down quite regularly before having any sort of tangible end product and left a lot of the players frustrated but still having to track back to attempt to thwart Leeds’ rapid counterattacks. It was very interesting to watch Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang especially and how he carried himself throughout the game and it is clear that he is short on confidence. The position change was designed to get him closer to the opposition goal but due to how much defending Arsenal was doing he ended spending majority of his time closer to his own goal than higher up the pitch. His quality as a finisher is undoubted but as at now he needs to put the ball in the back of the net sooner rather than later. That confidence will positively affect his teammates and help lift a cloud that is gathering ominously over this squad at the moment.
The obvious caveat is that Arsenal were missing Thomas Partey and Mohammed Elneny, both of whom have been very impressive in recent weeks. However they were both on the pitch in that dreadful first half against Villa and so it is clear that the problem is deeper than just a personnel one.
It seemed that there would be a simple progression once Arteta was able to achieve defensive solidity and that would transition the team towards being a more dominant side offensively. The defence is decent at the moment but creating a meagre 0.17 xG against the statistically worst defence in the league will be worrying. Even more worrying is that rather than looking like a team whose gameplay was being thwarted by the opposition Arsenal looked like misfit components of a machine pushing and pulling in different directions.
It is still relatively early in Arteta’s tenure and to turn on him now would be quite simply unwise. However, the stagnation that seems to have been come upon this team and which is very apparent looking at the performances and body language of key players is worrying. Arteta has a job on his hands and it is not getting any easier.
