Arsenal, which is trying to win the English Premier League (EPL), gave up the league’s leading position for about six months to ‘defending champion’ Manchester City (hereinafter referred to as Man City). Arsenal fans, who had expectations that they could ascend to the throne after 19 years, are uneasy about their current move.
Arsenal lost 1-3 in the 2022-23 season EPL round 12 match against Man City held at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England on the 16th (hereinafter Korean time).
As a result, Arsenal recorded 16 wins, 3 draws and 3 losses (51 points, 26 goals scored), and lost to Man City (16 wins, 3 draws, 4 losses, 51 points, 36 goals scored), who played one more game, and finished second in goal difference. Arsenal, which took the lead from the 3rd round of the EPL in August of last year, was pushed to 2nd place in about 6 months.
Arsenal boasted terrifying momentum with 12 wins, 1 draw and 1 loss, including only 1 loss in 14 matches before the 2022 Qatar World Cup break.
Arsenal lost Gabriel Jesus, who was injured in the World Cup, but young strikers such as Eddie Nketia, Bukayo Saka, and Gabriel Martinelli took turns to fill the void. Thanks to this, Arsenal maintained their lead by overtaking Tottenham and Manchester United.
Arsenal, which was cruising, was defeated 0-1 in the FA Cup match against Man City on the 28th of last month, and a dark cloud hung over it.
After that, after being caught 0-1 by Everton in the league relegation zone, they drew 1-1 with Brentford. Following the loss to a lower-ranking team, he lost a goal and a victory due to an error in the match against Brentford, leaving even greater regret.
And against Man City, he allowed 3 goals and lost, giving up the lead메이저놀이터. In the last 4 matches, 1 draw and 3 losses, it is on the decline.
Arsenal’s recent sluggishness is cited as the biggest reason for their lack of experience. February can be confusing for young players, such as missing a victory due to a misjudgment by the referee and losing consecutively to Manchester City, a direct competitor to the championship.
Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko have experienced league championships with Man City, but the team’s main players, such as Saka, Martin Odegaard, Thomas Party, and William Saliba, have never reached the top in the EPL.
In addition, the fact that the 4-3-3 formation that Arsenal has operated this season is being seen by the opposing teams is also evaluated as the cause of the sluggishness. Recently, the teams facing Arsenal are harassing Arsenal with attacks that utilize side breakthroughs and air supremacy after stepping back deeply even if they give up possession to the opponent. Man City also won 36% of possession against Arsenal.
But there is still a chance. Although they gave up the lead, they played one game less than Man City, so a reversal is possible. It is also encouraging that Jesus is about to return from injury.
In order for Arsenal to rebound quickly, they must quickly cut off the sluggishness of February. The remaining February schedule is away from Aston Villa (18th) and Leicester City (26th), but it is not easy, but to win the championship in 19 years, you have to overcome the crisis. This is the moment when coach Mikel Arteta’s leadership and players’ concentration are needed the most.