Hi, Its Elijah and I’m hear with my first ever article for the Arsenal Review
I’m excited to get into the biggest question in the Arsenal Fanbase right now!!
Is Arteta The Right Man for the job?
Arteta Joined Arsenal on the 20 December 2019 and has without doubt improved the defensive shape from conceding roughly 30 shots against a lower side team to around 10-15 which as a result led to Arsenal conceding far fewer goals.
Arteta then went on to Win the FA cup in his first 6 months (4 of those months disrupted by COVID-19) incl. beating Sheffield United 2-1 , Manchester City 2-0 , and Chelsea 2-1 in final.
In the League we did beat Liverpool 2-1 (at the time they were confirmed champions) and Wolves 2-0 (A) but top 4 was out of our reach after loosing to the likes of: Manchester City 3-0 (A) , Brighton 2-1 (A) , Aston Villa 1-0 (A) and (the most painful) Spurs 2-1 (A). We Finished 8th after a very disappointing season incl. W:14 D:14 L:10.
In the summer, we did late business but (In terms of signings I would say 7.5/10)
(All information are According to TransferMarkt Values)
Ins: Thomas Partey £45m
Gabriel £27m
Ceballos (Loan)
Willian (Free)
Most Arsenal fans came in to the new season feeling optimistic based on what we did in the transfer window.
Our first game of the season was a trip to Craven Cottage (Fulham) where we won 3-0
Summary:
Willian provided two assists on his Arsenal debut as the Gunners eased past Fulham 3-0 at Craven Cottage.
Alexandre Lacazette opened the scoring on eight minutes, tapping in after Marek Rodak had pushed Willian’s shot to him.
Three minutes after the break, Willian, who also struck a post with a first-half free-kick, sent over a corner that was headed in by another debutant, Gabriel.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang collected Willian’s long pass to curl in Arsenal’s third on 57 minutes.
It gave Arsenal their biggest away league win since beating Fulham 5-1 in October 2018.
Next Game was a sloppy, disheartened performance in a struggled 2-1 win vs West Ham in our first home game of the season
Summary:
Arsenal substitute Eddie Nketiah struck late to give Arsenal a 2-1 victory over a stubborn West Ham United.
3rd Game was a tough game vs the defending champions Liverpool in a 3-1 Loss at an Anfield
Summary:
First-half goals from Sadio Mane and Andrew Robertson plus a late Diogo Jota strike on his Premier League debut for Liverpool helped the Reds continue their winning start to 2020/21 with a 3-1 victory over Arsenal.
After Trent Alexander-Arnold had a 22nd-minute drive deflected onto the woodwork, Arsenal took the lead on 24 minutes when Robertson played Ainsley Maitland-Niles’ cross into the path of Alexandre Lacazette who scored.
Two minutes and 27 seconds later Liverpool were back on level terms when Mohamed Salah’s shot was parried by Bernd Leno into the path of Mane, who made no mistake from close range.
Robertson then put the Reds ahead on 34 minutes, stealing in unmarked at the back post to fire home Alexander-Arnold’s deep cross.
Lacazette had a superb chance to claim an equaliser but after being played through on goal, he was denied by Alisson.
Jurgen Klopp’s side then made the points safe two minutes from time when substitute Jota marked his Premier League debut with a driven finish from the edge of the area.
Liverpool have started the season with three successive wins while this was the first defeat of the campaign for Arsenal.
Further Games:
2-1 Win vs Sheffield united (H) Performance: Smash and Grab!!
1-0 Loss vs Manchester City (A) Performance: No Creativity!!
1-0 Loss to Leicester (H) Performance: Opportunities not taken!!
1-0 Win vs Manchester United (A) Performance: Solid , Bossed Man Utd’s Midfield
*First Away win at a top 6 side since 2015
3-0 Loss vs Aston Villa (H) Performance: Just too too Poor!!
Recent Game:
Goalless Draw away at Ellands Road (Leeds) 0-0
Leeds United hit the woodwork three times and came up against an inspired display from goalkeeper Bernd Leno as 10-man Arsenal held them to a goalless draw at Elland Road.
Leno twice denied Patrick Bamford in the first half, before saving from Stuart Dallas and substitute Ian Poveda-Ocampo after the break.
Arsenal’s task became harder when Nicolas Pepe was sent off in the 51st minute for an altercation with Ezgjan Alioski, after referee Anthony Taylor reviewed the incident on the pitchside monitor.
Rodrigo then curled a shot against the bar, before, in the closing stages, Bamford headed against a post and Raphinha slammed a shot against the upright.
Arsenal substitute Bukayo Saka nearly snatched an unlikely win for the visitors late on, only to be denied by Illan Meslier.
The point takes Arsenal up to 11th position on 13 points, two more than 14th-placed Leeds.
PEPE REALLY LET THE TEAM DOWN!!!!!
Overall Looking back at those games too many things have gone wrong (in game) which has forced Mikel’s Arteta’s hand has been tied behind his back eg. 3-0 Defeat to Man City. On the the Other hand, Arteta has been to play for the poor football and the inability of game management.
Personally, I think we should criticise him when he get things wrong but for now I don’t believe its time to give him the sack!
Let me know your thoughts!!
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