Arteta rallies troops for cup clash after Brighton frustration
01/05/2025 04:54 AM
In normal circumstances, a 13-game unbeaten run across three competitions would be cause for Arsenal optimism. However, with Liverpool threatening to run away with this season’s title and the heartbreak of twice coming second to Manchester City still fresh in the memory, there’s no escaping a sense of frustration amongst the Gunners fanbase.
This was supposed to be the year Mikel Arteta’s side went one better in the league, but the script is being rewritten before our eyes.
With officials not giving the club the rub of the green, key players picking up serious injuries and spurts of fluidity repeatedly undermined by attacking brain freeze, there’s enough ‘off’ about the campaign to sabotage a sense of momentum.
Things might still change but the manager faces a huge challenge turning a team that doesn’t lose into one that always wins when matches come every three days.
At Brighton on Saturday, the Gunners were worth their 1-0 half-time advantage, given to them by 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri. However, the level dropped after the break, as if the team subconsciously decided the best use of their limited energy was to protect rather than extend their advantage.
On another day, they may well have held out but after the award of a much-disputed penalty by referee Anthony Taylow, the Gunners struggled to reboot, ultimately rallying too late to take more than a point.
“The run that we are in, especially with all the situations, injuries, illnesses and players that we are missing, I think the team deserves a lot of credit,” said Arteta in his post-game press conference.
“It’s disappointing because it’s not how much we wanted. The effort we put in was more about the freshness and the quality that we have to deliver in the second half to dominate the game much better. But I understand that a lot.
“I think we ended the game better,” added the manager. “I think in the last 10 minutes or so we had a feeling that we could generate something and we were more on top but there was a period that was uncomfortable with some players playing in different positions that doesn't feel natural and not having the capacity to freshen it up. But again that's down to us and we can do better.”
Seven draws in 20 Premier League matches highlight the fine margins defining Arsenal’s season. Had they found a way to unlock stubborn opponents – Brighton and Everton at the Emirates and Fulham away all come to mind – Liverpool would be feeling under much more pressure than they are. As it stands, Arne Slot’s five-point advantage and two games in hand feel like a comfortable advantage.
The next seven days are all about the cup competitions for the Gunners. Newcastle visit N5 on Tuesday in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final before Manchester United travel south for Sunday’s FA Cup third-round clash.
"We're playing every three days in different competitions and we're having to deal with a lot of issues with the squad, but the boys really want it,” Arteta told Arsenal.com.
"We carry on going and on Tuesday we have a beautiful game, a semi-final, a beautiful game in front of our people, so bring the energy back and go for it."
Perhaps the manager senses salvation in winning silverware elsewhere. After five years without a trophy, he and his project needs a boost.
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