Guns, but no Ammo

 And so, in drawing somewhat fortuitously at Elland Road, Arsenal have now gone just 4 minutes short of 8 hours of Premier League football without registering a single goal from open play. Which, with the fire power available, is utterly unacceptable.

The Pepe sending-off early in the second half should not overshadow the headline take-out from the game, which was once more the lack of creativity in midfield; of which we have been aware for many months now - indeed, since Mesut Ozil (who for me continues to cast a shadow over the squad) was initially omitted from Arteta's thinking - for whatever reason. For all the German's faults, and there are many... well, talk about cutting off your nose to spite your face! 

Yes, I know that there's no point harping on about it. The decision has been made, and we're living with the consequences of that, but nobody can tell me that he wouldn't make a difference to this side. Certainly, judging on yesterday's performance, Willock is apparently not the answer; and Ceballos is not cut out for the role in the same way as Fabregas, Cazorla and even Nasri were. But it's about a lot more than that; it's about the shape of the team, and it's about attitude.

I have to say (without hindsight) that at no stage was I concerned about actually losing the game - despite the sending-off (I'll come back to that), and despite Leeds hitting the post three times and Leno making two or three decent saves. Leeds work very hard, but they're an essentially limited outfit compared to what we should expect to be seeing from Arsenal. And Bamford was having one of those days... Man for man, and on paper, there should be no contest. But, as we well know, football matches are not played on paper, and there's a lot more to sport than simply having superior talent to the opposition. Concede 67% possession to any side (unless you're doing it deliberately) and you're likely to struggle.

Of course, many players had been away over the Interlull (plus in the case of Willian the foolish trip to Dubai), and so there's not necessarily been much opportunity for Arteta to put into action much of what he perhaps wanted to do following the Villa game. He did make a number of tactical - as opposed to forced - changes, which included moving Aubameyang back up top, and drafting Willock and Pepe into the starting line-up. But nothing clicked at all, as along with Willian all had disappointing matches.

I'd be prepared to stick with Auba up there, as there were occasions late in the game when, combining with Saka and Nelson, there was more than a little glimpse of what can be achieved. The rest of the changes need a little more thought, however.

Much credit to the defence throughout this game. Leno had an excellent game, dealing with everything that was thrown at him - and that was a lot. Bellerin's side of the pitch was targeted, but he mostly did well (with little help from in front of him), and indeed made one lung-busting break in injury time that almost led to a goal. Gabriel had another solid game, ably abetted by Holding, but the defensive star of the show was once more Kieran Tierney, who is quite fabulous in every way. But I want to address the midfield, and what the fact that it doesn't work means for what's up ahead of it.

Without the unfit Partey, there were problems. Xhaka had another of his 4/10 games, rarely properly showing for his goalkeeper or central defenders, limp in the tackle, failing to read the play and generally ineffective. Ceballos was sharp, both of brain and of foot, but had too much to do (and got kicked an awful lot). And this led to supply line issues, with the quality of ball going forward generally poor and making things difficult for those trying to make things happen further up the pitch. 

But those players scarcely helped themselves. We can definitely see why Chelsea were prepared to let Willian go (let's face it; they don't need him). Willock needs more than one game on which to base any conclusions, but there wasn't too much of a spark. And as for Pepe...

There's always been something about the guy's body language that grates with me. Like he doesn't really care (and I do have it on good authority that his heart isn't 100% in it here in London); although he does show genuine flashes of skill and top-class ability. But here he let himself down in his 'battle' with Alioski. He shouldn't have got involved, but he did, and as we all know if you put your head into somebody else's face in a football game you're asking for trouble. Alioski made the most of what was essentially nothing, and Pepe got his just desserts.

That was on 51 minutes, and what had already been a struggle became a rearguard action. Not that Pepe had done much, but you're of course generally better off playing 11 v 11 than 10 v 11 (despite Sky putting up a graphic that showed that Arsenal had managed more wins than defeats in the 90(!) games in the Premier League era where they had had a man sent off). As Arteta said, Pepe's actions were 'unacceptable', and he'll miss three games - and will then face a fight for his place.

And so Arsenal hung on, and not without incident. But they also had one or two chances on the break, including one for Saka which he would probably take 6-7 times out of ten. Credit to their keeper there. But a total of 4 shots, no goals and a single point are simply not good enough returns in a game like this.

There is definitely a case for getting both Saka and Nelson into this side (and possibly Maitland-Niles too). If we don't see Pepe (enforced), Willian or Xhaka for a while that wouldn't bother me. I'd like to see the versatile and exciting Saka in 'the hole', creating for Auba and others. What's to lose, as what's happening now isn't working. But the key thing for Arteta to work on is 'transition' - moving the ball forward as swifly as possible and finding the best paths in which to do it. It has to happen quicker, and with more confidence and incisiveness. The team needs players who are swift of brain as well as feet, and these are the type of player that I'd be looking to get into the side.

And so Arsenal wallow in the lower half of the table - although all is not yet lost; it's early days. And for obvious reasons I have no desire to look too far up. All I can say is that for next weekend - and I don't say this too often - its Come On Chelsea!

But for Arsenal it's the return fixture against Molde in the Europa League and then Wolves at home; a game of some importance and one in which I'd hope to see a change in both attitude and performance. This cannot continue.

Until next week. Stay safe, guys.