Knives sharpening for Arteta as Arsenal crisis returns

Carlo Garganese

19 Oct 2021 11:26 BST
3 min read

Arteta claims that Arsenal insiders were trying to ‘hurt’ the club — © ProShots

“I don’t know if things are going in the right direction,” Arsenal legend Thierry Henry remarked ahead of Monday’s match against Crystal Palace.

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“I was waiting to see the Brighton game [which Arsenal drew 0-0 before the international break], to see if we could have the ball and keep the ball, away from home, retaining possession, against a dangerous Brighton side.

“But I didn’t see that."

After watching Arsenal’s dismal 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace at the Emirates, Henry will be even less enthusiastic about the club’s future under the current leadership.

In truth, the Gunners were fortunate to get a point. They were disjointed, lacking in cohesion and only grabbed a draw five minutes into stoppage time thanks to substitute Alexandre Lacazette.

Late drama at the Emirates…

Laca secures a point 👊

#️⃣ #ARSCRY
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) October 18, 2021

After a mini revival of sorts, during which Arsenal won three Premier League games in a row – including beating Tottenham in the north London derby – Mikel Arteta’s men have started to disappoint again.

Two successive draws against Brighton and Palace – teams they need to be beating if they want to challenge for the top four – leaves Arsenal down in 12th place.

Arsenal’s worst start to season since 2014/15

Their 11 points from eight matches is the worst total at this stage of the season since 2014/15.

They have scored just seven goals and have a goal difference of -5, the sixth worst in the division.

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Arteta will have been in the Arsenal for two years on December 20 and there has been no improvement on the pitch since then at all.

The Gunners have had two successive eighth-placed finishes and once again they are struggling in and around mid-table.

This is simply unacceptable considering the fact that Arsenal were the biggest spenders in the Premier League this summer, splashing out over £150 million on new players.

It can be argued that the season is still young and that the new signings will need time to gel but the truth is that at no point in Arteta’s 22 months in charge has it felt like he has created an identity or style of play.

Friday’s match against Aston Villa at the Emirates now becomes crucial for Arteta. Another disappointing result and the knives will really be out for the Spaniard once again.