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It was not exactly a landslide, but Fleetwood Town certainly went their own way against Arsenal, putting the Premier League champions to the sword to cause what could easily become the upset of the season in the Carabao Cup.
The Gunners' display can be summed up by Mikel Arteta's scathing look towards 16-year-old Max Dowman, who sulked off after receiving the first red card of his club career for violent conduct. After he clashed with Harrison Neal, the referee made his choice and handed the youngster a harsh lesson.
Arteta's look and seemingly angered words were almost that of a furious, disappointed dad who chose tough love rather than what many believed was a needed embrace in a difficult moment. But Dowman's unlikely to be the only one to have received that look and those words. It was a dismal Arsenal night.
Arteta must axe Kai Havertz after Fleetwood display
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Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff
It must feel like Groundhog Day for Arteta. No matter what he does, no matter what Arsenal spend, he still seems to have the same striker problem.
Against Fleetwood, the Spaniard decided to play both Kai Havertz and Viktor Gyokeres. Whilst the latter scored, it wasn't exactly the finish of a clinical striker, and it was almost fitting that it was his first goal of the season. As for Havertz, it was another subdued display and this time against League Two opposition.
No one took more shots than Havertz on the pitch and not many missed more big chances. The German was incredibly wasteful in front of goal in a game that he should have decided.
His display was a continuation of Premier League form. The 27-year-old has been involved in just two goals in eight league games. At a time when Gyokeres is also struggling, those numbers are the last thing that Arsenal need.
For all the criticism that Havertz has rightly received after the Fleetwood nightmare, though, one Arsenal star should be thankful that it was enough to hide his own woeful display.
Arsenal star was worse than Havertz vs Fleetwood
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Truth be told, Arteta could have picked anyone out for a scathing review on Tuesday evening. The Premier League champions were almost arrogant at times and were made to pay in humiliating fashion.
The one positive that they can take is that it was a steep learning curve for several young stars. Dowman had his most brutal welcome to senior football yet and Marli Salmon was spun into it by Aaron Loupalo-Bi for Fleetwood's opener. It is those names who can be let off the hook, however. They will learn from it. Others don't require the same sympathy.
Among those is Martin Zubimendi. When he first arrived last season, it was as if he had silver springs in his step. The Spaniard looked like the missing piece in the Gunners' midfield, especially when he scored twice against Nottingham Forest in just his fourth Premier League game.
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And then came a siesta which has since turned into a long slumber. The schedule of English football has slowly worn those silver springs into worn, tiresome boots which turn in under-par performances week in, week out.
Against Fleetwood, it was no different. Zubimendi took 81 touches without ever making an impact. In a rare chance to take his chance from the start, the transfer flop was brutally weak and familiarly subdued.
The Mohamed Elneny comparison is not plucked out of a thin air either, as both players' lack of progressive edge from the base of midfield has continually presented an issue during their respective spells in North London. Zubimendi has contributed a goal or assist in 15 per cent of his matches since joining, only just above Elneny's 10 per cent.
With a player like Bruno Guimaraes to turn to, the former Real Sociedad midfielder cannot afford to just keep ticking things over at Arsenal. His touches must be effective, his passes must be progressive. Against Fleetwood, he was once again a sideways step in an all too passive side.
Indeed, whilst Havertz received the majority of criticism, it should not be forgotten that Zubimendi continued to struggle on a woeful night for Arsenal.