Arsenal are facing substantial criticism in the media after falling 13 points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool.
The Gunners are cut adrift of the Merseysiders after struggling to overcome both West Ham and Nottingham Forest in their last two matches.
West Ham beat Arsenal 1-0 at the Emirates last weekend before Forest secured a point at home to Mikel Arteta’s side in midweek.
While the North London outfit have been significantly hampered by injuries in their forward line, the nature of some of their recent performances will be alarming to Arteta, who is under increasing pressure to win a major honour in N5.
Adrian Durham labels Arsenal’s title pursuit as ‘pathetic’
Arsenal were the Premier League title favourites heading into this season, but find themselves practically out of the race at the beginning of March.
While things out of Arteta’s control have gone against his team, the Spaniard and his players certainly aren’t blameless.
Meek attacking performances and inactivity in the transfer market have ultimately cost Arsenal, and some of this was entirely preventable.
Speaking on talkSPORT on Thursday, Adrian Durham slammed Arsenal and Arteta.
“When you’re looking at the table now with Liverpool 13 points clear, albeit having played one game more than Arsenal, it is a pathetic attempt from Arsenal to win the league,” Durham said.
“I think he [Arteta] was arrogant rather than angry. When he was asked earlier in the season about the lack of a number nine, I think he was thinking, ‘City won the title without a number nine, we can do the same’. Well, you’re trying to run before you can walk mate.
“I think in this season when City have imploded completely, this was Mikel Arteta’s chance, and he’s got it all wrong.”
Tony Cascarino responds to Arsenal ‘pathetic’ claim
While the ultimate outcome of Arsenal’s season will probably frustrate fans, the Gunners are still likely to finish second, despite all the adversity they’ve faced.
This is disappointing but hardly pathetic, and former Chelsea player Tony Cascarino has called out Durham’s tirade against the North London club.
Speaking on talkSPORT on Saturday, the man who spent two years at Stamford Bridge between 1992 and 1994 hit back at the outspoken radio presenter.
“I think that’s very harsh,” he said.
“If you’d said after 27 games, Arsenal would be seven points in front of Man City, eight in front of Chelsea, ten in front of Newcastle, 21 in front of Man United, that they’ve had a pathetic season, I would disagree.
“Liverpool have been exceptional and are 13 points clear. I think the one point you can make is that this is the third season in a row, where their [Arsenal’s] ending of a season wasn’t as good as the start and the middle.”
Cascarino’s claim that Arsenal have had a poor ending to the season for the third year in a row is certainly wide of the mark, as Arteta’s side won 16 of their final 18 Premier League matches last season.
However, the former professional footballer’s point of emphasising the context of Arsenal’s season in comparison to their competitors is spot on.
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