Arsenal have made an impressive start to the new campaign.
Mikel Arteta will be delighted by the form his Arsenal side have produced, as they remain unbeaten in all competitions.
However, not everything that the manager has tried so far this season has paid off. Arteta is still a young coach, learning his craft, and whilst he has done an impressive job at the Emirates Stadium there is still progress to be made.
Mikel Arteta’s tactical change vs Manchester City
Arsenal were able to secure a 2-2 draw on the road against Manchester City, despite having been down to ten men for more than half the match following Leandro Trossard’s red card. Arteta sent his side out after the break with an extremely defensive remit.
The Gunners saw off wave after wave of attacks, sitting deep and defending their lead on the edge of their own box. Eventually, the reigning champions’ pressure told as John Stones struck an equaliser with virtually the last kick of the game.
In retrospect, Arsenal ought to have retained some sort of attacking outlet in that second half. A target to hit further up the pitch and someone to carry a threat for the hosts to think about.
Roy Keane slammed Arteta’s “dinosaur” tactics after this match, and whilst the Manchester United legend’s comments were harsh, the Arsenal boss may now somewhat regret his approach.
Decision not to sign a striker
Arsenal were linked with many strikers throughout the recent summer transfer window, but the deadline day loan signing of winger Raheem Sterling was ultimately the only final third addition made to the squad.
Kai Havertz has been in exceptional form so far this season, leading the line brilliantly. However, Arsenal fans have slammed Gabriel Jesus, and the Brazilian striker is no kind of form to step up and take over from the German if required.
The decision not strengthen in this part of the pitch could still come back to haunt the Gunners.
Imbalance of depth in Arsenal squad
As with the striker role, there are other areas of Arteta’s squad that are light on reliable options. Ben White is the nailed on first choice at right-back, but Jurrien Timber is often needed at left-back, and Takehiro Tomiyasu is perennially injured.
White has had to play through injury in the past and Thomas Partey and Riccardo Calafiori have both had to deputise in the right-back role at times already this season.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the defence, Timber, Calafiori, Tomiyasu, Jakub Kiwior, Oleksandr Zinchenko, and even Kieran Tierney are all potential left-back options, making the Gunners overstocked in this department.
The decision to allow both Fabio Vieira and Emile Smith Rowe to go this summer can also be questioned, particularly in light of Martin Odegaard’s injury, which has forced Leandro Trossard into a more central role.
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