Arteta is kidding himself saying Arsenal are better than last season
SAMI MOKBEL: Mikel Arteta is kidding himself… he says Arsenal are 10 times better than last season but his tactical tweaks are NOT working
- Arteta said Arsenal are ’10 times better’ than last season when they finished 2nd
- But, they have looked unconvincing as the Spaniard’s tactics haven’t clicked
- Gabriel Martinelli said that the players ‘need time’ to ‘get used to’ the changes
Seven points from nine would generally provide reason for optimism. Not at Arsenal.
The fall-out from this 2-2 home draw has been over-inflated.
It might have felt like a defeat, particularly as Arsenal were 2-1 up when Calvin Bassey was sent off for a second yellow card in the 83rd minute. But it wasn’t.
Arsenal are stuttering. But the biggest reason for their failure to dispatch Marco Silva’s well-drilled team was Fulham. They were diligent, dangerous and disciplined.
Joao Palhinha was outstanding. Keeping the Portugal international will be Fulham’s most significant summer business of all.
Arsenal conceded late to Joao Palhinha on Saturday in their 2-2 draw with ten-man Fulham
Mikel Arteta says his team are ‘10 times’ better than they were last season when they pushed Manchester City all the way
However, the Gunners are yet to show their improvements after some tactical tweaks
But back to Arsenal. Boss Mikel Arteta says his team are ‘10 times’ better than they were last season when they pushed Manchester City all the way.
That doesn’t ring true. Maybe it was a deflection tactic or a reaction to assertions that his tactical tweaks have stifled fluency.
On the evidence of the opening three games, if Arteta truly believes his side look a more accomplished outfit then he is kidding himself. Unconvincing is a more fitting description. It hasn’t clicked. But why?
Players aren’t robots. Three months on and the emotional remnants of their stirring — but ultimately failed — title challenge will endure.
Another factor behind their suspect start is a new-look tactical arrangement, in particular Arteta’s decision to deploy inverted full backs.
Thomas Partey has started at right back with a view to moving inside during attacking phases.
A key feature of last season was the forward thrust provided by Ben White and Oleksandr Zinchenko in supporting Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli in wide areas.
Teams evolve; Arsenal are doing just that.
Gabriel Martinelli has insisted that Arsenal need time to ‘get used to’ Arteta’s tactical switch
‘We need to adapt, I think it’s going to be easy for us. We just need a bit of time to get used to it,’ Martinelli said of Arsenal’s new set-up.
Interestingly, Fulham skipper Tom Cairney admitted: ‘We spoke about it before the game that if Partey plays right back but comes into centre midfield and the same with Zinchenko playing left back and coming in — we are were aware of those situations.’
With that in mind, you wonder if Arsenal would benefit by returning to last season’s approach.
Partey doesn’t look comfortable at full back — it feels forced.
White is such an accomplished player that his move inside to centre back has come easy. But Arsenal appear to miss his presence at full back, where he can have more influence in attack.
There have been headaches over team selection, too. The ambiguity over Gabriel’s future and position in the team aren’t helping.
Arteta insists Gabriel’s absence from the starting XI is tactical.
There remains uncertainty, although remote, over whether Gabriel will stay at Arsenal beyond Friday’s transfer deadline
Externally, there is a degree of scepticism as Gabriel has played in 98 of 117 Premier League matches since his arrival in 2020.
Mail Sport understands there remains uncertainty, although remote, over whether the Brazil international will stay beyond Friday’s transfer deadline.
There has been interest from Saudi Arabia and Real Madrid. The club’s stance has been he isn’t for sale.
But even up to Friday, Arsenal were preparing themselves to strike for a new defender in the event of an offer they can’t refuse. Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi is among the prominent targets.
If, as expected, Gabriel is still an Arsenal player when they face Manchester United on Sunday, it makes sense for him to return to the starting XI to allow Partey to revert to midfield.
Where that would leave £75million summer signing Kai Havertz is intriguing. The Germany international felt the ire of Arsenal fans against Fulham.
ARSENAL VS FULHAM MATCH FACTS AND PLAYER RATINGS
Arsenal (4-2-3-1): Ramsdale 6; Partey 5.5 (Zinchenko 56min, 6.5), White 6.5, Saliba 6.5, Kiwior 6; Odegaard 6.5 (Jorginho 84), Rice 7 (Jesus 90), Saka 5.5, Havertz 5 (Vieira 56, 7), Martinelli 6.5; Trossard 5 (Nketiah 46, 6.5).
Scorers: Saka 70 (pen), Nketiah 72.
Booked: Arteta.
Manager: Mikel Arteta 6.
Fulham (4-3-3): Leno 6; Tete 5.5, Diop 7, Bassey 6.5, Robinson 6.5; Lukic 7 (Reed 70, 6), Palhinha 8.5, Andreas Pereira 7.5 (Cairney 63, 6.5); Wilson 6.5 (Traore 71, 6), Jimenez 6.5, Reid 7 (Adarabioyo 89)
Scorers: Pereira 1, Palhinha 86. Booked: Bassey, Jimenez, Lukic, Silva.
Sent off: Bassey.
Manager: Marco Silva 7.
Referee: Paul Tierney 6.5.
Attendance: 59,961.
Many doubted how and where he would fit in. Right now, those concerns appear well-founded.
And injuries haven’t helped. As well as Jurrien Timber’s serious knee injury, Mail Sport has learned thatDeclan Rice’s pre-season was hampered by a minor calf problem.
There was better news on the injury front here as Gabriel Jesus was introduced as a late substitute after missing the start of the season after a knee procedure.
While there is cause for concern, it shouldn’t be to the level that has followed this draw.
Beat United and it’s 10 points from 12 — that’s hardly a crisis.
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