Arsenal have struggled in the last month, with just one win in the last seven games in all competitions, and they have now seen their title challenge take a heavy blow.
Many fans are already convinced that Mikel Arteta’s side do not have what it takes to go one step further than last season and win the Premier League, and a lack of goals upfront is a serious concern.
Too many of Arsenal’s attackers are out of form right now, and throughout the season they have scored just 20 league goals from open play.
However, Pep Guardiola is still not getting his hopes up about Arsenal potentially exiting the title race just yet, and has praised Arsenal for their performances in recent defeats against West Ham and Liverpool.
Pep Guardiola praises Arsenal performances
Speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of Man City’s trip to face Newcastle, Guardiola pointed out how Arsenal performed in build-up play against West Ham and Liverpool.
“Even Arsenal dropped points. I saw how they played against West Ham for example, lost,” he stated.
“I didn’t see Fulham. Against Liverpool in the FA Cup, how good they play. The chances they create and concede few but you don’t get a result.
“It’s quite similar when we didn’t get points against Crystal Palace, Liverpool or Tottenham, it’s sometimes happens.”
Are Arsenal’s defeats similar to how Manchester City lose?
Arsenal have lost four games in the league compared to Man City’s three this season, and some were very comparable.
Both teams lost 1-0 away at Aston Villa, but whilst Arsenal still dominated the game but failed to take their chances, City were outplayed from start to finish, and were completely outshot by the home side.
City did lose to Wolves whilst playing well, in a similar manner to how Arsenal lost at Newcastle and against West Ham, with plenty of possession and shots but no goals or points to show for it.
City’s only other defeat came at the Emirates, in a game which Arsenal felt mostly comfortable in control and helped shut the visitors out well, with Gabriel Martinelli netting a late winner.
Both sides aim to dominate possession and create lots of chances, and both are capable of off-days where the result goes against them. However, City have Erling Haaland upfront, and they know that goals will continue to come.
Arsenal’s scoring problems has led to calls to sign a striker, but a January deal looks financially unviable, and it does feel unlikely that Arteta’s side, in their current state, will be able to compete with City for the second half of this season.
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