Arsenal’s dismal performances in the Premier League and Champions League have left many fans questioning manager Mikel Arteta’s tactics and team selection. The latest embarrassment came on Saturday at the Vitality Stadium, where the Gunners lost 2-0 to Bournemouth after being reduced to 10 men due to a straight red card for William Saliba in the first half. The away side struggled to create clear-cut scoring opportunities, and their efforts were hindered by a lack of possession and poor decision-making.
Tuesday’s Champions League match against Shakhtar Donetsk at the Emirates Stadium was equally underwhelming, with Arsenal relying on an own goal from Dmytro Riznyk to scrape a 1-0 win. Despite the narrow victory, many fans felt that the team was not at its best, with the Gunners failing to dominate possession and create enough scoring chances.
In the aftermath of these disappointing performances, Arteta has spoken of the “dip in form” that he expected following a strenuous international break for his players. He pointed out that his team had been “flying” just two days prior, but admitted that they “paid the price” for not converting their early chances into goals. However, Arteta remains confident that his team will bounce back with a strong performance against Liverpool on Sunday.
Arsenal’s chances of climbing the table have been further hampered by the suspension of star defender William Saliba and the hamstring injury sustained by Bukayo Saka during international duty. As the team prepares to face Liverpool, fans will be eager to see if Arteta’s words of encouragement translate into a improved display on the pitch. Despite the challenges ahead, one thing is certain: Arsenal need to rediscover their winning form if they hope to challenge for a top-four finish in the Premier League.
