In the 0-0 draw against Everton, Arsenal once again showed that they have serious problems with creativity. Despite controlling the game and applying strong pressure, the "Gunners" still could not take advantage to penetrate the opponent's defense.
In recent matches, Arsenal's opponents, such as Everton and Fulham, have opted for a focused defensive style of play, sitting deep and conceding possession. Against Everton, Mikel Arteta's side had 77% possession and completed 682 passes, including 253 in the opposition half - their highest tally this season. However, the Gunners only created one big chance and had five shots on target.
One of the core problems is the lack of creative, unexpected moves to break down dense defences. Arsenal often play around the opposition defence but cannot find space in the middle.
Kai Havertz, the leading striker, had little space and few chances to score. The German had the fewest touches of any Arsenal player, with just 38 touches over the 90 minutes, including four in the opposition box.
Against Everton and Fulham, Arsenal attempted a total of 39 crosses from open play, but only seven of them were successful. The lack of precision in their crosses showed that the Gunners were losing their composure. Especially in the final minutes of the match against Everton, Mikel Arteta's team seemed to lose their direction and crossed the ball in desperation.
The abundance of crosses was a testament to Arsenal's superior control but also a lack of effective attacking solutions. In the final minutes, when centre-back Gabriel Magalhaes advanced like a striker, and Gabriel Jesus dropped deep, the Emirates team's play completely disintegrated, losing the necessary coherence.
Everton, meanwhile, were successful in slowing down Arsenal's tempo. The Toffees' midfield was active, disrupting the Gunners' fast passing lanes. According to Opta, Arsenal's direct passing rate in the match was the lowest since the October game against Bournemouth - when they were down for more than 60 minutes.
In three consecutive games without scoring from open play, Arsenal made a total of 1,732 passes, 48 crosses and 39 shots, but were unable to convert their dominance into goals. The lack of pace and dynamism in their play left the team in a state of stalemate.
Arsenal seem to be relying too much on Martin Odegaard for creativity. After two months out with injury, the Norwegian maestro returned and immediately made a difference in the first few games. However, his form has dipped, possibly due to fitness issues and the pressure of his role.
Against Everton, Odegaard was substituted in the 62nd minute for tactical reasons. This was clear evidence that Arteta cannot put all the creative responsibility on his captain's shoulders forever. The 25-year-old midfielder did not create any chances in the match and the excessive expectations on him and Bukayo Saka became a huge pressure. Names like Kai Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli, Mikel Merino, Gabriel Jesus and Leandro Trossard need to share this burden.
To fix the problem, Arsenal need to adjust both their tactics and their approach to the game. Manager Mikel Arteta must find creative ways to break down the opposition’s deep block. More use of young players like Ethan Nwaneri could also be a way forward.
In addition, the main attacking players need to improve their form and understanding. Better exploitation of Havertz's ability to play in the penalty area or take advantage of Martinelli's speed will help Arsenal become more diverse and unpredictable.
