What Arteta did that cost the team but shouldn’t have been done

The last 20 minutes of the Arsenal-Liverpool game were a crucial moment for Mikel Arteta and his team. But what did you expect? He bottled it. Arteta doesn’t seem like a manager who can win the league for Arsenal.

The fans’ focus should shift to winning the Champions League or FA Cup. Arteta has sacrificed other trophies in pursuit of the league title, yet he’s still to achieve his goal.

What Arteta shouldn’t have done

Going into the game, injuries were the excuse, but fortunately, Arsenal secured a first-half lead that kept them ahead at halftime. However, Arteta faced a more precarious problem when Gabriel and Jurrien Timber went off in the second half due to injuries. Timber’s absence was understandable, given his managed minutes, but Gabriel’s departure severely impacted the Gunners’ defense.

The problem that befell Arsenal isn’t uncommon; Arteta simply wasn’t observant. Before Liverpool equalized, Arsenal had already displayed defensive lapses, with two key players out. The adage “the best defense is offense” isn’t always true. Arsenal needed to employ damage control.

With the right-wing player, Timber, injured, Mohammed Salah and Alexander-Arnold gained more attacking opportunities. Gabriel Martinelli’s errors in the 77th and 79th minutes led to the counter that broke Arsenal.

Arteta should have sacrificed the right flank for midfield stability. Introducing Jorginho would have provided balance and ball control. Declan Rice and Merino were already exhausted in midfield. Liverpool’s tactic was simple: Arnold fed Salah using the “right-hand triangle” to create attacking chances.

Arteta could have replaced Martinelli with Jorginho, overloading the midfield. Jorginho’s calmness would have nullified Darwin Nunez, who had been cautioned earlier. Substituting Kai Havertz for Gabriel Jesus would have allowed Bukayo Saka to support Thomas Partey on the right wing. A 4-5-1 formation would have countered Liverpool’s attack.

The exposed left flank gave Arnold opportunities to penetrate. Deploying Trossard in that spot would have mitigated this. Arteta should have closed down the left flank and ceased offensive attempts. Raheem Sterling’s defensive skills could have been utilized towards the game’s end.

Arteta’s response suggests he needs further tutelage from Pep Guardiola. The biggest miracle would be Arsenal winning the league this season, which would require Manchester City to stop scoring, Erling Haaland to be injured for a year, and Kevin De Bruyne to retire, Ilkay Gundogan to lose form, Phil Foden to falter, and Pep Guardiola to run out of ideas.

If none of these scenarios unfold, Arsenal should focus on the EFL, Champions League, and FA Cup, rather than the league. Thirty years without a title is nearing, and Liverpool’s example serves as a cautionary tale. The last time Leicester City won the league, Arsenal held onto hope until the Foxes were relegated and returned to the EPL. The Gunners remain trapped in their pursuit of the league title, continually squandering their chances.