Poor preseason a cause for concern for Arsenal?
After what can only be described as a horror year for Arsenal in 2020, the opening two preseason matches have done little to calm the growing angst among the fanbase.
With a 2-1 loss to Hibernian and then a 2-2 draw against Scottish Premier League champions in Rangers, Arsenal has gotten off to a slow start. While having several key first-team players missing, the Gunners still had plenty of quality in the squad.
The likes of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Emile Smith Rowe, Thomas Partey, Nicolas Pepe, Pablo Mari, Rob Holding, and Cedric all featured against Rangers. The Gunners were behind until a late equalizer from young striker Eddie Nketiah with seven minutes remaining.
Missed chances still a problem
The other worry for Mikel Arteta is the finishing of his front players. Eddie Nketiah, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, and Nicolas Pepe all have been guilty of missing superb chances in the two preseason matches.
While some will say it is only preseason, the more hardened Arsenal fans will know that this has plagued the team for the best part of two years. Alexandre Lacazette is another who has missed constant guilt-edged chances and looking back, Arsenal would have another two or three wins next to its name had those chances been converted.
Lacazette’s future is up in the air and Aubameyang starting to show signs of his age. Arsenal’s once-lauded firepower is barely firing a shot, albeit in preseason. Eddie Nketiah has had chances to prove himself in the first team last year, yet has failed to stamp this authority with several poor displays, even though he does have time on his side.
It is because of his inability to be the goal scorer that Arteta needs that has led to many Gunners fans voicing Folarin Balogun be given his chance. He has shown what he is all about when given an opportunity, particularly in the Europa League last campaign.
So it remains to be seen as to whether Arsenal will be looking at a potential attacking replacement during the transfer window. Although it does seem highly unlikely, it certainly is food for thought.
Arsenal’s transfer business has been minimal
The poor preseason form is not necessarily the main worry for the Arsenal fanbase. It’s actually the lack of incomings and outgoings when it comes to transfers. Arsenal has secured a backup for Kieran Tierney in Nuno Tavares, and there is Brighton defender Ben White likely coming in with a €50 million deal to shore up a leaky defense.
There have also been murmurs of Arsenal intensely looking at Leicester City midfielder James Maddison. As well as long-term target Houssem Aouar. Whether either target is obtainable will largely depend on who will be exiting through the Emirates door.
It is paramount that Mikel Arteta gets players who are going to improve the squad. As we have seen in the past two matches, the current Arsenal side is simply not good enough. Especially when it comes to competing with the big guns of the Premier League. While they have shown glimpses, far too often Arsenal has been found wanting when the big boys come to town.
One thing is for certain, Arsenal and Mikel Arteta cannot have another season like 2020. Getting players in and winning matches early will help with the fan discontent.
There is still time to get things right for Arsenal, but a poor preseason has to be a little concerning for fans. Having not beaten two teams it would be banked on to defeat, everything just feels a little unsettled for the Gunners.
It is only preseason, so results should rightly be taken with a grain of salt. But for Mikel Arteta and Arsenal, the pressure is already on to not have a repeat of last season.
We watch with anticipation.
