If Arsenal were to let the Premier League title slip from their grasp at this crucial stage, the primary finger of blame should not be directed at manager Mikel Arteta. The Spaniard has steered the Gunners through a season defined by a pragmatic, safety-first approach, but as the wheels threaten to come off their campaign, scrutiny must shift upwards to the club's hierarchy.
Arteta's Pragmatic Path to Glory
After three near misses in previous seasons, Mikel Arteta has deliberately taken Arsenal on a different route this term, focusing on getting the job done rather than free-flowing football. Characterised as risk-averse, this strategy was fine while results were coming, but a recent blip—taking just two points from the last three games—has exposed vulnerabilities. Arsenal's form has dipped, and their football has been criticised as dull, with Manchester United legend Paul Scholes even suggesting they could be the worst team to win the title in Premier League history.
The Forward Line Struggles
A key issue lies in Arsenal's attacking department. Bukayo Saka has managed only four goals and three assists in the league, going 13 games without a goal in all competitions. Incredibly, just 57% of Arsenal's Premier League goals have come from open play, ranking them 17th out of 20 teams. They have relied heavily on set-pieces, scoring 16 goals from such situations in the league and 24 overall. While Arteta has made the team deadly from corners and free-kicks, this reliance highlights a lack of firepower up front.
Viktor Gyokeres, signed for £64 million, is joint top scorer with Leandro Trossard at just five goals each in the Premier League, far from the impact expected. With well over half the season gone, Arsenal are on course to have the lowest top scorer of any title-winning team in Premier League history, surpassing records set by Frank Lampard and Ilkay Gundogan. The absence of Kai Havertz, who excels at holding up the ball and bringing others into play, has been keenly felt, making attacks look laboured and ineffective.
Squad Depth and Summer Signings
Arsenal invested heavily last summer to strengthen their squad, but the returns have been mixed. Beyond Martin Zubimendi, signings like Eberechi Eze, Noni Madueke, and Christian Norgaard have not become regulars, raising questions about the depth and quality of the roster. A strong squad is only truly such if it wins the league, and Arsenal still have a long way to go in that regard.
Learning from Past Mistakes
Arteta's shift towards a more cautious style may stem from last season's disappointments. Despite finishing second, Arsenal never truly challenged Liverpool, drawing nine of the 30 games they took the lead in and losing 21 points from winning positions. This season, such collapses have been rare, with only a draw at Sunderland and a loss to Manchester United after scoring first highlighting similar issues. The pressure on Arteta to deliver the title after three failed attempts is immense, yet he has done a remarkable job overall.
Where the Blame Truly Lies
The crux of the matter is that if Arsenal fail to clinch the title, sporting director Andrea Berta should bear the lion's share of the blame, not Arteta. The manager is merely playing safe to end a 22-year wait for the championship, prioritising results over style. While this approach may not thrill fans, it underscores a broader structural issue within the club's recruitment and squad planning.
In summary, as Arsenal's title bandwagon stutters, it is the decisions made above Arteta—particularly in the transfer market and squad assembly—that warrant the most criticism, not the manager's tactical adjustments to secure long-awaited glory.
