Three reasons why Arsenal have struggled this season

Arsenal have had an abysmal Premier League season and currently sit 11th on the table with 31 points from 23 games.

Back to back defeats to Wolves and Aston Villa last week leave Arsenal with 10 losses in the League with 15 games left to be played.

But the question many are asking themselves is why have Arsenal lost so many games yet they have a good squad. At least half of those defeat’s were supposed to be winnable games by Arsenal’s standard.

Here are three major reasons why Arsenal’s season in the League has been terrible;

1. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s goal drought

Arsenal’s talisman and captain is having his worst season in a long while by his standards. The Gabonese International has managed to score just 5 goals this season, in previous campaigns at this stage he would have hit double digit figures.

Aubameyang last season scored 22 goals and had a similar tally during the 2018/19 season were he won the golden boot. One might argue that Arsenal do not create enough chances for him to score but last season he thrived in an Arsenal side that create a paltry amount of chances.

His lack of goal’s this season has affected Arsenal’s output in the final third. In fact it’s not a surprise to see him named on the bench, before he signed his new contract he was Arsenal’s best player now he’s a shadow of his former self.

Aubameyang has been underwhelming this season. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)

2. Playing without a number 10

For most of this season Mikel Arteta opted to use reserved formations that could not accommodate an attacking midfielder. Mesut Ozil, the team’s playmaker was frozen out of the squad leaving Arsenal without a playmaker.

Arsenal failed to create chances and score goals while playing the 3-4-3 formation and at some point had 10 goals in 12 League games. The 3-4-3 formation was so reliant on Aubameyang were the player’s just had to hoof the ball straight to him and he runs and scores.

A player maker or no.10  is a player who controls the flow of the team’s offensive play, and is often involved in passing moves which lead to goals, through their vision, technique, ball control, creativity, and passing ability. That’s what Arsenal were lacking.

Eventually Arteta brought in the young Smith-Rowe to fill that void and he has made a decent impact. Arteta learnt his mistake though it might have been a little late but he has realized the importance and benefits of playing with a no.10.

Arsenal’s attacking play has improved ever since Smith-Rowe was integrated into the team. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

3. Lack of goals and poor form of the attackers

This one might be a result of the first two reasons. Arsenal this season have so far scored 27 goals, an average of 1.17 goals per game. Last season Arsenal averaged 1.47 goals per game, 1.92 during the 2018/19 and 1.94 in 2017/18 season.

Goals had never been Arsenal’s problem it was protecting the goals scored that was the problem. The Gunners rank joint 12th in the League for goals scored but only two teams have conceded fewer goals than Arsenal.

Willian has turned out to be a big flop but Arteta still uses him. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

The attackers have been in poor form and inconsistent the most notable is Willian, who is still yet to score a goal in an Arsenal shirt.

Arteta’s patience with Willian has failed to pay off and fans continue to wonder why he is brought in whenever Arsenal need goals. He has been a big flop and Arteta has kept on playing him hoping he’ll pickup form.