Skip to content

Why are Arsenal inconsistent with their performances? The Sunday Supplement panel discuss

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

The Sunday Supplement panel discuss why Arsenal cannot replicate their performance against Tottenham every week

After Arsenal's superb win against Tottenham, the Sunday Supplement panel have questioned why the Gunners cannot consistently produce the same performance.

Arsenal went into Saturday's north London derby as underdogs, but stunned their local rivals as they beat Spurs 2-0 at the Emirates with some fine displays across the board.

Despite the victory, the Daily Express' sports reporter Matt Dunn queried why Arsenal have not been able to produce the same kind of performance on a regular basis.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Arsenal 2-0 Tottenham

"I know that Arsenal were crowing yesterday that their players had run, according to their stats, 120km and Tottenham had only run 118km," he said on the Sunday Supplement.

"I don't believe in being able to give 110 per cent so when I look at last year's figures and Arsenal have only run 110km per game, I'm wondering if they were playing at 90 per cent every week and just turning up for the big games.

"As a manager, what has that got to do for you? Arsene Wenger will look at that performance and think 'well they can do it, why don't they do it every week? Will they do that against Burnley next week?' They do it sporadically.

Nev: As good as I've seen Arsenal
Nev: As good as I've seen Arsenal

Gary Neville says Arsenal's performance against Spurs was as good as he's seen them play.

"Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil chasing down the goal in the final minutes is great to see, but do we see that every week from those two players in particular?

Also See:

"At the moment, Tottenham are Champions League and Arsenal are Europa League. Yesterday, there were signs that possibly, if they gave their all more consistently, it could be the other way around."

His thoughts were echoed by the Daily Mail's chief sports writer Martin Samuel, who says it is difficult to fathom that Saturday's Arsenal team were the same side who were beaten by Liverpool a few months ago.

Alexis Sanchez gestures after being fouled during the north London derby
Image: Matt Dunn and Martin Samuel questioned why Arsenal cannot maintain consistently good performances

"All of the energy in yesterday's game came from Arsenal. They were flying into tackles and blocks like Jose Mourinho's old Chelsea team when they were at their absolute best, when John Terry would throw himself into it like he was trying to smother a grenade," he added on the Sky Sports show.

"Arsenal were like that yesterday and you think 'where are these guys every single week who can play like that', because their energy level was so modern.

Play Super 6
Play Super 6

Simply predict six correct scores to win the £250k jackpot. Enter your selections for free here.

"A criticism one would make of Arsenal is that they've been left behind a bit by this modern, high-pressing, high-energy game and they haven't got it in their team. But they had it yesterday.

"When I saw this same team at Liverpool when they were beaten 4-0, Liverpool were flying everywhere and Arsenal were absolutely supine. You can't see how this is the same group of players."

However, fellow panellist John Cross defended Arsenal, and believes that no Premier League side - bar the title-winners - will produce high-level performances each week.

Daily Mirror cheif football writer John Cross
Image: Daily Mirror chief football writer John Cross defended Arsenal's lack of consistency

"Do any team do it every week? You see the winners of the Premier League do it most weeks, but generally, throughout the course of the season, it is defined by one team being better than the rest week-in, week-out and they are champions," the Daily Mirror's chief football writer said.

"This season, I think it will be Man City and I think everyone else will be inconsistent. They will have their great points and they will have their low points."

Around Sky