Arsenal have been frustrating to watch in the Premier League over the past few weeks, that’s for sure.
The Gunners have failed to score in open play in any of their last three Premier League matches, and they’ve dropped points in each of their last two games.
Arsenal’s title hopes are slipping, and speaking on It’s Called Soccer, Gary Neville has shared his verdict on the Gunners’ recent performances.
Neville says that he watched Arsenal vs Everton on Saturday and he was pulling his hair out at one point as Arsenal aimlessly recycled possession looking for openings rather than taking any risks.
Gary Neville presenting for Sky Sports ahead of the Premier League match between Manchester City and West Ham United at Etihad Stadium on May 19, 2...
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
Gary Neville frustrated by Arsenal passing vs Everton
Neville spoke about Arsenal’s performance against Everton.
Mikel Arteta was criticised for substituting Martin Odegaard in this game, while Kai Havertz was called average after this showing.
Neville says he was fed up of watching Arsenal against Everton, claiming that the Gunners simply weren’t going for it in this game.
“To be fair, I watched the whole game for Arsenal on Saturday vs Everton. You talk about recycling possession around one side to another. It’s driving me crazy watching Arsenal play,” Neville said.
“Honestly I’m serious, watching Arsenal on Saturday I was thinking ‘kitchen sink please.’ You need a goal. Come on, show some level of risk that goes outside of the norm.”
Arsenal’s stats vs Everton
It’s easy to see why Neville got frustrated watching Arsenal against Everton.
Indeed, the stats show that the Gunners had a lot of possession and really didn’t do much with it.
Arsenal stats vs Everton
Goals 0
Shots 13
Passes 631
Passes per shot 48.5
Compare that to Liverpool’s performance against Fulham on the same afternoon.
Liverpool stats vs Fulham
Goals 2
Shots 16
Passes 469
Passes per shot 29.3
Liverpool were facing tougher opposition while playing with 10 men for more than an hour, and yet, they somehow managed to score more goals and get more shots off while playing a more direct style.
Trying to control a game by passing the ball is, in principle, a good idea, but when you’re facing a team that is happy to frustrate you and camp out at the back, you need to get creative.
Mikel Arteta needs to help his team find their attacking impetus again, because, at the moment, they’re severely lacking creativity from open play.
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