Arsenal's conservative style and top players' form slump has cost the team, how can Arteta fix the issues?
Things are looking pretty ugly for Arsenal. The Gunners have been inconsistent and are slowly looking at an encore of their torrid 2019-20 season. The arrival of Mikel Arteta certainly seems to have bolstered their confidence as while they started the campaign strongly, with wins over Fulham and West Ham followed by a defeat to Liverpool. Then came a win against Sheffield United followed by losses to Manchester City and Leicester.
The pattern of a win followed by a loss continued as they beat the Red Devils and then lost to Aston Villa. In many ways, the international break comes as a much-needed breather for Arteta to reassess strategies. Much of their hot and cold blowing-run has been attributed to their star players' lack of form and an over-defensive style of play. The lack of goal-scoring also demonstrates the lack of having a creative playmaker in the middle. The absence of Mezut Ozil is costing them dear and that would be on the gaffer's mind.
Aubameyang has scored just twice this entire season; his only strike that looked confident and clinical from open play came at Fulham on the opening weekend of the season. Arsenal’s most prolific striker and the captain has struggled since then landing just 10 shots while companion Lacazette has nine mustered just 10 shots on goal since the start of the league campaign, while Alexandre Lacazette has had just nine and three goals to his tally.
This makes three headaches that Arteta needs to figure out ahead of their next fixture against Leeds United. A look at the lack of form is a major concern. Willin has been going through a rut and has been goalless, so has Lacazette. The latter has failed to convert chances and that has cost the team to which Arteta agrees. "When you get chances and you don't even hit the target, it is a really complicated way to win football matches,” Arteta said after their defeat to Villa, in what could be a hint that changes will be made.
For now, it does feel like he must move from the 3-4-3 formation that has worked well for the team in the FA Cup. With Thomas Partey in the ranks, the chance for Arteta to go back to a flat-four is out there and he might take it as this would mean Aubameyang would take on the central role. The next best option is the classic 4-3-2-1 they could switch to which was seen against Sheffield United. The move yielded dividends and that's another alternative.
With their next game against Leeds a week later, Arteta must fine-tune the side and ring in the changes if they have to latch on to a top 4 position. They have certainly been a lot more promising and look good when they in, but the time for arresting the losing slide is here.
