Outrageous. Arsenal’s dreadful loss highlights the underlying issues at the club. Beaten by Burnley for the first time in 46 years, Arsenal’s shocking fall from grace continues.
Relegated from European Football’s most prestigious competition, to the dismal depths of the Europa League, Arsenal’s standards have lowered considerably.
Once one of the Premier League’s finest teams, Arsenal currently face a midtable finish. Or worse. Former Champions League regulars and title contenders, Arsenal’s slow decline is astonishing. Last season the Gunners barely clawed their way into the Europa League.
Failure to qualify for Europe with an eighth-place finish, meant relying on an impressive display in the 2020 FA Cup Final, to secure European football.
Ever since their 1995-1996 season, Arsenal have never failed to qualify for European Football. Last season presented an ominous warning. Previously unimaginable, Arsenal appear unlikely to qualify for European Football this season. Where did it all go wrong?
Arsenal fans have been sold a fabricated dream. Ex-Arsenal Chief Executive Ivan Gazidis, once said, “We should be able to compete at a level like a club such as Bayern Munich.” Seven years later, those guaranteed words ring hollow.
In fact, Arsenal are closer to mixing it up with Brighton & Hove Albion, who since 2018 are unbeaten against the Gunners, with three wins and two draws, than Bayern Munich.
To say a sinking feeling surrounds the club would be inaccurate. Arsenal are drowning. Unable to break defences down, visibly the season is going horribly wrong. Troubling reports of dressing room unrest have also recently emerged.
Arsenal’s Current Mood.
Per Football.London, Arsenal potentially face a nightmarish dressing room situation. Senior figures reportedly have fallen out with manager Mikel Arteta. David Luiz is a rumoured name. Apparently both player and manager no longer remain on speaking terms.
The exclusions of Mesut Özil and Sokratis have also proven unpopular within the squad. Combined with poor form and Granit Xhaka’s foolish red card in the Burnley match, things grow increasingly ugly.
Earlier in the season David Luiz and Dani Ceballos had a training ground fracas. Often water under the bridge, as intense training sessions can lead players to lose their cool, Arteta considers the situation serious. Insistent on finding the culprit who leaked stories of the scuffle, Arteta’s stance is to, “destroy” whoever is behind them.
There’s a familiar air around the current circumstances to the final days of Unai Emery’s tenure. Players revolted against Emery, leading to the Spaniard’s termination.
Mikel Arteta’s side are in widespread decay. Under pressure, he appears a gloomy figure on the Emirate Stadium’s touchline. If results don’t change, Arteta may encounter his own dressing room betrayal.
Glancing at the bigger picture, Arsenal have fallen far beneath what is expected of them. How does the club stop the rot? Are they capable of stopping Arsenal’s demise?
One thing remains certain, Arsenal desperately need to get back to winning ways. If not, the players may turn on the manager and Arsenal could freefall into the relegation zone. A fate unsuitable for a club of Arsenal’s stature.
I am a young writer, focused on producing high quality content. With a love for both journalism and writing, I have a growth mindset, where I strive for continuous improvement. I am also an: Occasional freelancer. Unai Emery Enthusiast. A person of many plans.
Also interested in the psyche, mentality and mental health of players – their motivation, the harmful effects of social media, and how the football world affects them.
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