Mikel Arteta nears crisis point, Nuno rails at replays and there will be no break for the Blades
Every Premier League manager is under pressure and every Arsenal manager is under pressure but if results don’t improve and quickly, Mikel Arteta will soon be experiencing an intensified version of pressure. Though he has done a decent job over the last few seasons, he has been afforded money and now has a player he likes in every position along with various alternatives, making success no longer a bonus but a necessity. However, opponents now have a better handle on how to stop his team, shutting down their wide attackers to force play infield where only Martin Ødegaard can reliably create, and they also lack the kind of reliable goalscorer able to redeem poor performances – or, as happened against Liverpool, ensure good ones do not go unrewarded. A new striker might help, but Arteta must also tweak his side’s style, and fast, to prevent the season – and perhaps his players’ buy-in – running away from him. Daniel Harris
Match report: Arsenal 0-2 Liverpool
Match report: Sunderland 0-3 Newcastle
Match report: Stoke 2-4 Brighton
Match report: Manchester City 5-0 Huddersfield
Match report: Chelsea 4-0 Preston
Match report: Nottingham Forest 2-2 Blackpool
Match report: Middlesbrough 0-1 Aston Villa
Match report: West Ham 1-1 Bristol City
Match report: Watford 2-1 Chesterfield
Match report: Gillingham 0-4 Sheffield United
Continue reading…Mikel Arteta nears crisis point, Nuno rails at replays and there will be no break for the BladesEvery Premier League manager is under pressure and every Arsenal manager is under pressure but if results don’t improve and quickly, Mikel Arteta will soon be experiencing an intensified version of pressure. Though he has done a decent job over the last few seasons, he has been afforded money and now has a player he likes in every position along with various alternatives, making success no longer a bonus but a necessity. However, opponents now have a better handle on how to stop his team, shutting down their wide attackers to force play infield where only Martin Ødegaard can reliably create, and they also lack the kind of reliable goalscorer able to redeem poor performances – or, as happened against Liverpool, ensure good ones do not go unrewarded. A new striker might help, but Arteta must also tweak his side’s style, and fast, to prevent the season – and perhaps his players’ buy-in – running away from him. Daniel HarrisMatch report: Arsenal 0-2 LiverpoolMatch report: Sunderland 0-3 NewcastleMatch report: Stoke 2-4 BrightonMatch report: Manchester City 5-0 HuddersfieldMatch report: Chelsea 4-0 PrestonMatch report: Nottingham Forest 2-2 BlackpoolMatch report: Middlesbrough 0-1 Aston VillaMatch report: West Ham 1-1 Bristol CityMatch report: Watford 2-1 ChesterfieldMatch report: Gillingham 0-4 Sheffield United Continue reading…
