Disappointment - and over-reaction

Defeat at Southampton on Saturday means zero points out of the last 9 available. A total loss of momentum; at completely the wrong time! And with the quality of opposition about to go up the signs aren’t currently looking good for a Top 4 finish. 

It was a really frustrating day - one of those that we get from time to time. 78% possession, 23 attempts on goal, but nothing to show to show for it. In the second half, Arsenal were literally (well, not literally, but you know what I mean) camped in the opposition half. 

However, a combination of a lack of quality and composure, along with several excellent saves from goalkeeper Forster, meant that the equaliser never came; this after Bednarek had hammered in a volley late in the first half after Arsenal lost concentration following a corner. That was on one of the rare occasions that Southampton made any inroads whatsoever into Arsenal’s half throughout the entire game. This is a script we’ve read many times before over the years, of course.

No need to go into too much detail - we all know what happened - but it is of course well worth discussing why it went wrong - and if anything can be done about rectifying it with Chelsea and Manchester United to come this week.

With Laca missing from the match day squad - he is ill, we are given to understand; although whether that’s 'ill' ill, ‘Ozil-style ill’, or perhaps Covid we don't know - Eddie Nketiah got a start. Which changes the focus of the attack, as he is an entirely type of striker to Laca. Interestingly, Arteta started Saka on the left and Martinelli on the right; which could have been either one of his ‘they’ll never have thought I’d do this’ moments, or perhaps more likely to offer some defensive cover to the returning Nuno Tavares.

Putting Tavares back in the team seemed the most sensible thing for Arteta to do in the circumstances - a relatively ‘easy’ opponent before the trials and tribulations to follow - and the young man did well enough. There were none of the glaring errors that had been evident in previous performances, at least. However, he’ll be up against Kai Havertz on Wednesday…

As for Eddie… we’ll, we all know that he’s not the answer, but he at least has a penalty box presence. What he doesn't have, of course, is any sort of track record of scoring at Premier League level - if he did, he'd be in the side more regularly - and thus it proved that despite two or three decent opportunities no goals were forthcoming from that quarter. Or any other... Saka missed one very good chance, as did ESR and Odegaard, and despite the stat that says 23 attempts there weren't enough big chances in the figures. The requisite quality, and the ability to boss an oppnenet, have largely departed with Partey's injury.

We knew that the squad would be stretched with any injuries. That was the chance that Arteta and Edu took. And unfortunately we've lost some absolutely key players at precisely the wrong time. Tierney for the season. Partey likely the same. Who knows if Tomiyasu will be back any time soon? But the 'spring clean' had to be done at some point, did it not? And I think that we can all admit to ourselves that our expectations had been raised beyond any expectations during the winning run; so if Arsenal do fall short... well, as I always say: its the hope that kills you.

But for all that we're not leaking goals (at the moment). The problem is up front. Lack of quality, and also of quantity. I'm not going to keep bashing on about Aubameyang - it had gone stale (in a repeat of what happened with him at Dortmund) and it was best for all parties that he moved on. He'd been AWOL since around November in any case. The fact that Arteta and Edu couldn't/wouldn't find a loan signing from anywhere to help plug that gap is the real issue here. Personally, I'd have happily looked at somebody like Iheanacho.

There is too much on the shoulders of our star youngsters. We cannot expect them to produce every week. So surely - surely? - they could have found somebody to help take the pressure off? But they took the risk, and a lack of goals is the very obvious result of that decision. Two goals - one deflected - from the last 63 attempts on goal...

So perhaps the gamble with the squad has failed. Or maybe not - there will be twists and turns all the way until the end of the season. When Arsenal were winning tight games in February and March, it was often down to fine margins. And frankly - the horrendous performance at Palace excepted - it's been down to fine margins in the recent defeats too. Defensive howlers. A goal disallowed on mere guesswork. The width of the crossbar.

I don't think we have to worry about either Wolves or West Ham now. United are really not very good. And That Lot managed to fail to register a single shot on target whilst losing to Brighton on Saturday. So mathematically it's still on; and that's how we must continue to look at it.

What I can't deal with is the sudden reappearance of the #ArtetaOut brigade! It's like they've been waiting in the wings, keeping their powder dry, and are now gleefully resurfacing. What good does it do to behave like that? Support the Manager, and support the team, until the bitter end. Post mortems, if required, can take place from May 23rd onwards.

It is what it is. When Arsenal are winning, he looks like a great coach. When they're not, well... as I say, fine margins. I'll criticise him almost as much as the next man, but I'll also never fail to support whoever is managing and playing for my football team. What good does it do to go overboard? What is done, is done. And enough with the Emery revisionism, please!

So onwards and upwards, please. It ain't over till it's over. #COYG!