How Arsenal have become worse than last season in key area as worrying stats emerge

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Arsenal are suffering from a mini-crisis in form, and many fans are wondering why the team is not hitting the heights they were last season.

Last season saw Arsenal lead the league for months on end, playing fast attacking football and consistently winning games even from disadvantageous positions.

This season has seen Arsenal adopt a more conservative approach, one which has seen them score fewer goals from open play than Chelsea, and results have taken a nosedive, with just one win in the last seven games across all competitions.

The attack is of particular concern, and having been amongst the best attackers in the league last season, Mikel Arteta’s squad has now dropped down to an average level as some worrying stats have emerged.

Arsenal’s attack has declined since last season

Alan Shearer recently highlighted Arsenal’s disappointing shooting ability in The Athletic, and they have now emphasised how the attack has dropped off from last season.

“After 20 games last season, Arsenal had scored 45 goals, the second-best total in the league. This season, it is 37, which is seventh-best,” The Athletic revealed.

“Their shot conversion rate last season was fourth with 13.9 per cent. This season it is 11.4 per cent, which is 10th.

“They had the second-best expected goals total (xG), the third-best shot quality xG; this time, it is fifth and 10th. Goals from open play? They are 13th in the table for that one with 20.”

Why has Arsenal’s attack declined?

There have been repeated calls to sign a more clinical striker, but these stats show that the problem lies beyond finishing.

The attacking squad is largely the same as last season, with the only key difference being Kai Havertz replacing Granit Xhaka in midfield.

Although Arsenal are creating chances, and failing to finish them, the stats highlight how the quality of chances they are creating has also fallen.

Teams are defending deeper against Arsenal, and attacking players Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli have both seen their form decline in recent weeks.

These stats will concern Arteta, and with funds limited in the January window, he will have to find an internal solution which will see his side finish more chances and create better quality openings in front of goal.

Arsenal have attacked well in the Champions League, but if their domestic struggles continue, they will certainly find themselves out of title contention very quickly, as they have dropped from first to fourth in the table since Christmas.