Arsenal fans don’t think their recent run of wins is telling the full story of their performances, especially up front.
With their penalty shootout win over Crystal Palace, the Gunners have now won four games in a row across all competitions.
These wins have not come easy by any means. And their test against Palace highlighted a big concern, one that might outweigh what Kepa pointed out about Arsenal’s late-game defensive woes.
For whatever reason, Arsenal’s attackers have lost their clinical touch in their last three games, with one statistic showing just how much of a problem it has become.
Sum up Arsenal’s game against Crystal Palace using just three words
Perfect penalties prevail
Arsenal fans concerned about lack of finished chances as xG soars in last three games
Against Crystal Palace, Arsenal had an xG of 3.63, which showed that they had many great attempts at goal.
However, having only scored one goal, that too an own-goal courtesy of Maxence Lacroix, Arsenal’s attackers clearly weren’t able to convert their chances into goals.
What makes this lack of clinical finishing even more alarming is that Arsenal have had xG of 6.16 over their last three games, but have failed to score a goal from open play.
Arsenal fans are rightly a little bit worried about this poor form in front of goal. One fan noted, “Stats I’ve not seen since December 2023. Let’s just hope and pray we get through it but Villa next week doesn’t give me confidence.”
Another supporter acknowledged this pattern, adding: “But why does this happen every December? Three seasons in a row now, we completely forget how to score in December. Just happy we are finding a way to win these games this season instead of the usual capitulation in previous seasons.”
“If we can start scoring our chances we cruise this league. Big ‘if’ though,” a third concerned fan wrote.
Lastly, one fan pointed to a grim future based on this stat, claiming, “We’re going to flatline someone soon.”
Poor finishing cannot become a pattern for Arsenal during gruelling winter schedule
Arsenal find themselves in a difficult position right now, as they are creating some excellent chances going forward, but not capitalising on them.
Given the heavy slate of games they have to play between now and January, the Gunners cannot afford to lose their finishing touch at this time.
How should Mikel Arteta handle Arsenal’s insane fixture congestion
Mikel Arteta has some serious decisions to make
On top of that, the looming threat of Manchester City will hang heavy on Arsenal’s Premier League hopes, especially considering how capable City are of outscoring Arsenal in the league.
Hopefully, the return of Gabriel Jesus can give them another option up front. For all the criticisms about his ability to convert chances, Jesus improves the players around him when he’s on the pitch.
Fans will hope that the last few games are nothing more than a short slump before a huge bounce-back in scoring. Ideally, that bounce-back comes against Brighton this weekend.
Receive a digest of our best Arsenal content each week direct to your mailbox
