Concerns are starting to affect Arsenal
The whole afternoon at the Emirates Stadium took place in a strange atmosphere, completely opposite to the usual enthusiasm every time Arsenal entered big matches.
Matheus Cunha's decisive goal in the 87th minute decided the dramatic 3-2 victory for Manchester United against Arsenal. This was a match where psychological pressure seemed to cover the entire home team.
Arsenal has made clear progress in creating a dominant atmosphere. However, before the opportunity to win the Premier League title for the first time since 2004, the weight of expectations became an invisible barrier for the "Gunners".
Martin Zubimendi's mistake in the situation leading to Bryan Mbeumo's equalizer was only part of the problem. William Saliba - a very stable stopper - also unexpectedly had an uncertain match, while many other individuals could not maintain the necessary calm.
Arsenal's way of controlling and managing the game raises a big question mark about their bravery in the key stage of the championship race. This is not the first time excessive caution has appeared, as before that Mikel Arteta's team had gone through 2 consecutive goalless draws against Liverpool and Nottingham Forest. Those were matches where caution strangled the attacking tempo.
Arteta made up to 4 substitutions just before the 60th minute, a rare decision, but these adjustments did not bring the necessary clarity. When the score was still balanced, Arsenal still showed their familiar intensity, but when they were led, they completely lacked decisiveness and urgency to turn things around.
Although still considered the top candidate for the championship, this defeat forces Arsenal to face the biggest question of the season. Are they psychologically ready to go to the end of the race?
The depth of the squad covers the ineffectiveness of Arsenal's attack
Arsenal's attack has not really operated smoothly this season.
It sounds paradoxical when they are leading both the Premier League and the Champions League, but that position is mainly built on a solid defensive foundation, instead of overwhelming attack. And when the defense no longer maintains stability, the limitations in the front line immediately become clear.
The defeat to Man United marks the sixth time in 117 home matches in the Premier League under Mikel Arteta that Arsenal has conceded 3 goals. This is a figure that shows the rarity, but also enough to expose the fragility when the defense system does not operate perfectly.
Viktor Gyokeres' difficulties since moving from Sporting Lisbon last summer have been somewhat overshadowed. However, Arteta's choice of Gabriel Jesus as starter shows the recognition that the Swedish striker is still not reliable enough for big matches.
Jesus, after a double against Inter Milan in the middle of the week, was given a chance but was disappointing. He only touched the ball 26 times, launched exactly one shot with a expected goal index of only 0.01, before being substituted before the 60th minute. Gyokeres entered the field in the last 30 minutes but also only touched the ball 7 times, almost leaving no mark.
Arsenal can still compete for titles without a perfect number 9 center forward, thanks to the depth of the squad and the ability to distribute goals in many positions. However, all expectations that Jesus could become an immediate solution to the attacking problem have vanished after this performance.
When the defense can no longer cover everything, the lack of connectivity in the front line is becoming an issue that Arsenal is forced to face if they really want to go to the end of the championship path.
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