Arsenal’s recent downturn coincides with two crucial players being compelled to endure injuries.
Despite leading the Premier League at Christmas following a promising result at Anfield, the Gunners suffered consecutive defeats against West Ham and Fulham, derailing their title aspirations.
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In the last five Premier League games, Arsenal has only managed to secure one victory, causing them to slip to fourth place just before the winter break.
Manager Arteta expressed disappointment in his team’s performance at Craven Cottage, deeming it their worst of the campaign.
The squad appeared fatigued and lackluster, with full-back Ben White notably struggling. The Daily Mirror reports that the English international has been playing through pain in recent weeks.
Summer signing Jurrien Timber was intended to alleviate the burden on White but has been sidelined since the season’s first game. Takehiro Tomiyasu, returning after almost a month out, made a second-half appearance against Fulham.
Although Bukayo Saka ended a five-game goalless streak, he is reportedly dealing with a lingering calf injury, potentially explaining his recent indifferent form.
Arsenal is set to face Liverpool again in the FA Cup third round, followed by a 13-day break before resuming domestic action against Crystal Palace.
Arteta plans to rejuvenate his fatigued squad during a warm-weather training camp in Dubai.
This break will provide an opportunity to revitalize the players who still have significant goals for the remainder of the season.
‘No, we weren’t efficient enough,’ said Arteta after the defeat to Fulham when asked if his team were tired. ‘We didn’t have enough ball speed, enough movement, enough threat, and when we did that, we gave too many balls away.
‘Not only when we were playing, but after regaining it straight away, which is the most dangerous moment to give away.
‘When you do that, and you don’t have consistent momentum, we never got set in the final third in the right moments, and you concede two goals like we’ve done, then it becomes very difficult to win the game. Today we didn’t deserve to win the game, and that’s very clear and simple.
‘We certainly need a reset after today because that’s going to be in our tummy for a few days. The game against West Ham felt very different because you can move on, it can happen.
‘What happened today cannot happen again. If you do that, you’re never going to have the chance to be where we want to be. Today it could have been a beautiful way to finish the year top of the league.
‘These are the margins and you have to find the balance. It could have been the best day and it can be even the worst day because you have lost a game but we have to look at ourselves in the mirror because today is the worst game that we had this season, that’s for sure.’
