MY ACCOUNT
Arsenal reignited their top-four hopes with a win over Chelsea in midweek — but there are still areas in need of improvement.
It has been five years since Champions League football was last played at the Emirates Stadium.
But Wednesday’s 4-2 success over Chelsea moved the Gunners level on points with fourth-placed Tottenham heading into the final weeks of the season.
Mikel Arteta’s men are certainly in the mix to finish fourth in the Premier League.
Given the struggles of rivals Tottenham and Manchester United this season, perhaps the Gunners would be more comfortable in their pursuit of European football had it not been for one or two of their own flaws.
Ahead of their lunchtime showdown with United, we turn the spotlight on Arteta’s men.
Creative spark still lacking
Arsenal’s young attacking talent has rightly received plenty of praise this season, with the likes of Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Emile Smith Rowe catching the eye at regular intervals.
And another starlet got his chance in the limelight in midweek as Eddie Nketiah struck a brace in the victory over Chelsea.
However, it is inevitable young players will struggle from time to time and with Arsenal’s more senior forwards also failing to deliver, dips in form going forward have cost them dearly.
Those attacking struggles have also been reflected in the stats.
Arsenal have only scored the seventh-most goals in the Premier League this season, fewer than top-four rivals Spurs, United and West Ham.
It makes even bleaker reading for Arsenal supporters when it comes to big chances created — their tally of 34 is the fourth lowest in the top flight this season with only Everton, Newcastle and Norwich creating fewer.
The Gunners do rank third when it comes to shots taken, indicating they are getting into dangerous areas but perhaps lacking the quality or decision-making required at the highest level.
Big games still an issue
Arsenal’s 4-2 victory over Chelsea was not only timely in their pursuit of the top four but also bucked the trend when it comes to their record against teams around them this term.
Including the win at Stamford Bridge, the Gunners have recorded just two victories from their eight matches against teams currently in the top six this season, losing the rest.
Last September’s home success over Tottenham is the only other time Arsenal have avoided defeat against elite opposition this term.
That is a worrying trend given two of Arsenal’s final six matches will be against teams currently occupying those spots.
Today’s home clash against United precedes the trip to arch-rivals Spurs on May 12.
The outcome of both of those games is likely to prove significant and may well be the difference between the Gunners returning to the Champions League or remaining in the wilderness for another year.
