After the last two disappointing match days following all of the dominant match days, some Arsenal fans may believe they are living in their worst nightmare.
Arsenal delivered a second poor performance a week after their shocking loss to Everton. The Gunners rode their luck in the first half, as they could easily have fallen behind after Ivan Toney hit the post.
Arsenal has lost twice and drawn once since beating Manchester United. One pundit who weighed in on Arsenal’s difficult afternoon against Brentford was Gabby Agbonlahor.
Gabby said a lot of things, but one thing he said that must be on every Gooner’s mind is that Gabriel Jesus must return soon. “Today, it looked quite easy for Brentford to stop Arsenal. It’s a bit of a worry for Arsenal and Mikel Arteta needs Gabriel Jesus back,” said Gabby as per talkSPORT.
It is concerning that Arsenal has only scored once in its last two league games. While Nketiah has scored a few goals, his poor ball control makes it easier for defenders to mark him. Because of his superior ball control and ability to drag defenders out of position, Gabriel Jesus is far more dangerous.
As a result, Saka and Martinelli can benefit from the space left behind, which they tend to exploit. Saka and Martinelli have both dropped off since Gabriel Jesus was injured, with the opponents no longer seeing them as dangerous as they once did.
Fortunately, Jesus is now closer than ever to returning from injury, as he is already on the grass doing light training. But, while we wait for Jesus, something in Arteta’s attack must change.
Darren N
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Urgently. Nketiah has done well but his limitations have been exposed as he’s not a striker with enough quality to consistenly lead a top clubs attack. Jesus offers so much more offensively: switching positions, creating space etc. which in return will help our wingers too.
The writers comments about Saka and Martinelli are way off track. They haven’t dropped off, it’s just that opposing teams are now doubling up on them because they are still very much viewed as dangerous. Basically they are being isolated out wide and whilst leaving space in midfield, we do not have anyone to exploit that space. Also, teams are now snapping into tackles as soon as we get the ball, not allowing us to play.
To a certain extent, we have been found out tactically.
If anyone saw the way City beat Villa yesterday, we should be worried about our game Wednesday.
Comparing Jesus and Nkettiah is in it’s own insulting no disrespect to nkettiah, the different in quality of both players is like day and night, we may sugarcoat it because we were winning, buy Jesus is like a virus that makes everyone better even the defenders, it’s not a coincidence that we starting flourishing when Jesus started leading our line. Nkettiah may score more goal but with Jesus we are guaranteed to win more matches
Martineli loss of form coincide with Jesus not being available you could always see Jesus being marked by almost four players creating a lot of space for both Martineli, Saka, Xhaka and Odegaard to ran into but rushing him from injury might course a scenario like the one of Tomiyasu which Arsenal should avoid at all cost.
Jesus will need time. I’d say we probably won’t see him at his best till April. There is a lot of serious football to be played between then. It’s crucial to graft away with what we have till then. Arteta and co need ty believe.
April, if Jesus is coming back on April then we are likely (very likely) will not be winning the title i can confidently bet on that
I don’t think there’s any much difference in who play between Nketiah and Jesus in the CF.
Also there’s no much difference in whoever plays on the WINGS among Saka, Martinelli, Trossard and Nelson.
Same way there’s no much difference on whoever plays in the B2B among Xhaka, Odegaard, Fabio and Emile.
Similar to FB options of Zinchenko Tierney, Tomiyasu and White.
Same as any CB duo of Saliba, Holding, Magalese and Jakub Kiwior.
Where the drop off is alarming is in the DM role. There’s no ideal backup for Partey. It will be Arteta’s great undoing of the team to play Jorginho in that DM role. The team will collapse.
The only ideal backup for Partey in that DM role right now is Jakub Kiwior. He has to be used there to allow Partey is deserved rests. This is where Arsenal will either win the league or loose it.
It is said a cow never knows the use of its tail until it has lost it.
The Brazilian is a big miss to the Arsenal team, I can’t emphasize his importance enough.
Earlier on in the campaign when some armchair managers were criticizing him for not scoring, I was at pain to point out his all game contribution.
We miss Jesus’s ability to compete physically with centre backs. He has that ability to judge the flight of the ball, hold off the larger defender and control it out of the air. Almost like adebayor used to do, but he’s half the size! His close control in tight spaces is also brilliant, and he can create chances out of very little – he really is a top talent
That said, I think Nketiah’s deficiencies have been overstated – his movement is good, and in many ways similar to jesus in general play, the issues are more to do with how quickly and accurately the ball is moved through midfield imo. I think that’s where we’ve really dropped off recently.
I used to laugh when some fans were saying Jesus will have to fight for his place when he returns as he can’t displace Nketiah. There are 4 players in that team that are indispensable not only because they are very good but also that their replacement is a major drop off for their position for the single tactic we have deployed this season. These are Partey, Jesus, Zincenco and Saka.
Add Saliba to the list too
I’m at a loss what exactly has brought about Arsenal poor outing in 3 straight games. Against M City, Everton and Brethen. I expected an instant improvement after the 3 new entrants. May be that is to come soonest.
Arteta must try to mix up his squad, opponents easily dismantle the only team Arteta is consistently fielding. And some of them are showing signs of fatigue. I believe every player in the Arsenal squad is capable of doing good and required excellence.