Wednesday 14 December 2016 13:06, UK
Arsenal’s weaknesses at both ends were exposed in their 2-1 defeat at Everton on Tuesday. Was this a game that highlighted the sort of problems that could scupper any title bid? Adam Bate looks at the evidence…
Everton's come-from-behind win at Goodison Park denied Arsenal the chance to go top of the Premier League and gave Ronald Koeman's men a first victory anywhere since October. But while the home side celebrated, Arsenal fans were left to rue their team's flaws.
The Gunners dominated in the early stages and took the lead through Alexis Sanchez. But they forgot to finish it off and when Everton upped the intensity levels they had no answer. Three big points thrown away after two close-range headers highlighted one big problem.
Arsenal's defensive fragility has not cost them often of late. Indeed, Ashley Williams' late winner was the first Premier League goal they have conceded from a corner this season. But this was also the seventh game in a row in which they have failed to shut out the opposition.
There's no doubt that Shkodran Mustafi was missed. The defender is unbeaten in 17 appearances since his August arrival from Valencia and his replacement Gabriel Paulista was never likely to distribute the ball as effectively as the Germany international.
More disappointing was the fact that Gabriel struggled to deal with the physical threat of Romelu Lukaku too. He was even caught on the ball by Enner Valencia - ominous signs given that Wenger may need to turn to him again for the crunch clash against Manchester City at the weekend.
Laurent Koscielny fared better but even he made the mistake of going to ground in the build up to Everton's second. Not enough of the others in an Arsenal shirt want to win headers - Mesut Ozil ducking away and Granit Xhaka rooted to the spot as Williams powered home.
But these defensive issues aren't the only contributing factors in this disappointment. Wenger's side are occasionally brilliant but always flawed, even going forwards, and that's particularly the case when they are without the prompting of Cazorla from midfield.
The Arsenal boss places huge emphasis on fluidity but since the Spaniard's absence it's been Sanchez's sheer force of will coupled with flashes of genius from Ozil that have earned the points. Even class players cannot conjure things up as reliably as a team effort orchestrated by Cazorla.
The stats show that over the past four seasons Arsenal have won 183 points from 85 games with the midfielder in the team compared to 76 points from 45 games without him. From 2.15 points per game to 1.69, the difference between first and sixth last season.
Cazorla is the man who gets the ball to the feet of Sanchez and Ozil. He's the man who creates the chances to create a chance and Arsenal do need more openings. Wenger has been talking up the team's efficiency this year but that can be a worry as much as a winning trait.
Perhaps significantly, Arsenal are not among the top four teams in the Premier League for total shots, shots on target or chances created. In one sense, the fact that their goals tally is still up there with their rivals reflects well on the quality of the opportunities they create.
However, it also hints at an unsustainable conversion rate. Arsenal are currently scoring from 15.6 per cent of their shots. In the previous two seasons no team has bettered the 13.0 per cent managed by Leicester in their extraordinary title triumph last term.
Ozil could have put the number even higher had he not curled over early in the second half, but Sanchez's deflected opener was Arsenal's only shot on target until stoppage time. They need more than that in attack as well as more resolve at the back. It's an alarming combination.
On five occasions since their handsome 3-0 win over now leaders Chelsea in September, Arsenal have failed to score more than once in a Premier League game. Only one of those five matches has been won and that comes down to the lack of clean sheets.
When the team isn't firing - and the current shot output suggests that will continue to happen - the Gunners must be able to fall back on their back four. Chelsea, for example, have won both of the games they have failed to score in more than once since the two teams met.
Wenger appeared to shrug off criticism of his players afterwards and was quick to defend their attitude. But he could hardly claim the goal was not coming. Everton had them rocking - Petr Cech saving well from Phil Jagielka minutes before - and eventually they caved.
It's a familiar feeling for Arsenal fans. And while Manchester City are unlikely to attempt a repeat of Everton's methods at the weekend, Wenger must surely avoid a repeat of this result if he's to stave off concerns that his side are still short of what's required to win a title.
