Mikel Arteta must have a serious problem with Arsenal star as Liverpool get in Gunners' heads

Mikel Arteta must have a serious problem with Arsenal star as Liverpool get in Gunners' heads

For the second year running, Arsenal’s title challenge was undone by Aston Villa at the Emirates. And for the second year running, you do have to question Arsenal’s mentality and whether Mikel Arteta’s men are strong enough to get over the line.

Last year, Arsenal lost at home to Villa - going down 2-0 - in April after Liverpool had lost at home at Crystal Palace on the same day. Arsenal could not seize the opportunity. This time, Arsenal went 2-0 up but surrendered the two-goal lead and you could argue their title challenge lasted all of three days.

At 90 minutes, Liverpool were drawing at Brentford. By the 93rd minute, Liverpool had won 2-0. Maybe that was in Arsenal’s heads before kick-off. Even if it wasn’t, you can bet it was after they messed up against Villa.

Arsenal brought the gap back to four points by beating Tottenham on Wednesday - albeit having played a game more - and yet they just could not hold their nerve. And they keep seeing chances and opportunities slip by.

You can certainly point to injuries and a lack of depth in Arsenal’s squad. It is hard to believe they let a two-goal lead slip if William Saliba had not been injured and missing from centre defence.

Arteta must have a serious problem picking Jakub Kiwior - who was left on the bench - if he would rather move Thomas Partey from midfield to right back where he looks like a fish out of water.

Image: Arsenal FC via Getty Images) Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Partey is not a right back and, sure enough, he lost Ollie Watkins on Villa’s equaliser. Arteta has convinced himself that Partey can do a job as an inverted right back. But he really can’t.

Bukayo Saka is a big miss. Riccardo Calafiori was injured. Again. Arsenal’s bench had so few options. Raheem Sterling came on but looks a spent force. The players on the pitch look tired and jaded.

You look down the injured list and the answers are there. Ben White is another big miss. But that is where a squad comes into its own. And Arsenal’s is sorely lacking.

Image: Arsenal FC via Getty Images) Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Not buying a striker in January would be a mistake. And not buying one last summer is an even bigger gaffe. Last summer’s transfer window consisted of a defensive midfielder, injury-prone left back and a loan deal for a player whose best is behind him.

As a result, the squad looks woefully inadequate. The players look tired mentally and physically. Gabriel Martinelli and Kai Havertz got them 2-0 up. But they let it slip as Villa were dangerous in attack and took full of advantage.

Youri Tielemans’ diving header got Villa back into the contest. Watkins levelled it up. Two goals in eight minutes. But to let a 2-0 lead slip at home with just 30 minutes is unforgivable for any team. Let alone one with serious title ambitions.

Image: AP) AP)

Villa’s Achilles heel this season has been consistency away from home but, with a win at Everton in midweek and a battling draw at Arsenal, they may be finding their form to make a push for a Champions League place.

Partey admitted the frustration of letting a two-goal lead slip was a serious blow while he admitted he prefers playing midfield rather than full back without actually saying so.

“I think the answer is clear but I’m in a team where we all play for each other,” said Partey when asked which position he prefers. “I’m very comfortable playing in every position, give my best for the team and that’s it.

“It’s frustrating and disappointing. But we know how hard it is to play against these teams in the Premier League, we know how intense it is, we have to be focused 100 per cent but it’s football.

“We’ve been playing a lot of games, we’ve been dominating a lot of games and we have to continue like this and, at the end of the day, we will try to get our results.

“We are playing against one of the best attacking sides and they have a lot of quality players and we have to try our best in every aspect.

“We have to try not to give anything away but in football there are so many things you cannot control. The only thing you can do is try to learn from this and focus on our next game.

“But we never gave any excuse. There is a lot of competition, we have a lot of players who can play in multiple positions and we have to continue helping each other, keep playing as a team and keep dominating games like these and then we will get our results.”

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