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Premier League 2018/19: Reasons for Arsenal's latest struggles

West Ham United v Arsenal FC - Premier League
West Ham United v Arsenal FC - Premier League

Arsenal has not won an away game since they won at Bournemouth by two goals to one in November last year. So this means they are seeking their first away win of 2019. The match against West Ham was an opportunity to change that, especially considering the fact that West Ham had not beaten the gunners for about three seasons before last Saturday.

Unfortunately, the Gunners could not hold their own and allowed West Ham to snatch a 1-0 win over them. However, the cracks in the Arsenal team have seemed obvious all season and not just the West Ham game.

The only positive with the team presently despite the loss is that unlike Arsene Wenger's reign as manager, the team still created a couple of chances even despite losing, although it is not enough to just create chances, you have to put them away in modern day football.

Let us take a look at some of the reasons why the Gunners have not shown the same consistency that saw them keep an unbeaten run of over 20 matches in all competitions at some point this season.


#1 Arsenal's lack of skillful wingers

Iwobi and Aubameyang have been used as wingers this season by Emery
Iwobi and Aubameyang have been used as wingers this season by Emery

In modern football, this forms an important cog of any team. Some teams have the propensity to defend very deep when they play teams in which they feel are superior to them or when they are trying to preserve a lead or possibly a scoreline.

This is especially important in the Premier League where many of such teams exist. Look at the top teams in England, they possess skillful wingers who draw opposing defenders and create space for other teammates to exploit. They do not just have one( as seen in the case of Arsenal with Alex Iwobi) but they have two or three skillful wingers who are quite fast-paced.

Manchester City have got Leroy Sane, Raheem Sterling and Riyad Mahez, Chelsea have Pedro. Willian and Hazard and the talented Calum Hodson Odoi. Tottenham have got Lucas Moura and Son and we all know about the deadly Liverpool duo of Sadio Mane and Salah.

Arsenal do not have quality in depth in this department of the squad and it has been their undoing at times this season. They need to use the opportunity of this winter transfer window to get a skillful winger to complement the effort of Alex Iwobi and give Arsenal more options to break down opposition defences.


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