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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said he is not concerned about his position after his team fell to its worst start to the season since 1981 with a home loss to Wolves in a game overshadowed by a nasty head injury from the visiting forward Raúl Jiménez.
The Gunners are 14th in the table after five losses in 10 league games, a year after Unai Emery was fired as head coach, and they have been beaten in their last three games at Emirates Stadium.
“It’s something that the day I decided to be a coach I knew that one day I would be fired or left the football club, but I don’t know when it will happen,” he said.
“In this profession, I know it will happen, but I never worry about it.
“My only concern is getting the best out of the players and giving the best possible service to the club.”
A game between two of the lowest scoring teams in the Premier League was interrupted by a disgusting head clash between Jiménez and David Luiz in the initial exchanges that led to the Mexican forward receiving treatment on the field for 10 minutes before being transferred. to hospital.
It was understandably flat for a while after that, but came to life when Pedro Neto came home from close range after Leandro Dendoncker headed an Adama Traore cross off the crossbar midway through the first half.
Gabriel tied for the hosts with a strong header from a Willian cross just three minutes later, but the Wolves were the best team at all times and reestablished their lead as Daniel Podence deftly converted after goalkeeper Bernd Leno missed Neto’s shot. .
Arsenal rarely threaten, with forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang little more than a spectator at times, and Arteta has a lot to think about with his team languishing in the bottom half.
Wolves, on the other hand, are in sixth place and sit just four points from the top in an increasingly congested upper half of the table.
A sick wound
The game had barely started when one of its biggest stars was left unable to continue.
By the time Jiménez and Luiz hit the ground, it was clear that there was real concern among the players as medical personnel rushed to the field.
Jiménez was finally transported on a stretcher and straight to the hospital after Luiz, bandaged and visibly upset, went to check on his injured opponent.
Luiz continued until halftime, Arsenal have said he followed all the correct protocols to keep him on the field, but he was removed at halftime, and blood was clearly showing through his bandage.
In the absence of the talisman Jiménez, coach Nuno Espirito Santo needed his other attackers to rise up and, once the impact of the injury faded, they put on a vibrant performance of true threat.
Neto’s second goal of the season, off the bench against Southampton last week, was rewarded with an opening at Emirates Stadium on Sunday, and he restored that faith by putting Wolves in the lead.
The 20-year-old Portuguese forward was also instrumental in the goal that put the visitors ahead again at the break. Arsenal goalkeeper Leno was only able to clear Neto’s shot from distance and Podence cleverly finished off the rebound.
The Wolves have struggled for goals this season but, with Traore back on the team and Neto and Podence looking menacing, they may have the tools to address that in the weeks ahead, even if Jiménez may be ready for a stint on the sidelines. . .
A year later, Arsenal continues to fight
On November 29, 2019, Emery was sacked as Arsenal manager with the Gunners eighth in the Premier League and a riotous atmosphere throughout the club.
Exactly 12 months later, his successor appears to have more questions than answers in his inbox after another flat performance in front of empty stands in this cavernous stadium.
Arteta deserves credit for the way he brought the team together last season to seal the Europa League qualification by winning the FA Cup, a triumph that included notable victories over Manchester City and Chelsea.
The former Gunners midfielder has also hardened the backbone of a team that was regularly accused of being unstable: Before Sunday’s game, only Tottenham had conceded fewer Premier League goals this season.
But at what cost?
Arsenal appear to have lost fluidity going forward and their world-class forward and premium asset Aubameyang has only scored two goals in the league this season.
In fact, Aubameyang touched the ball only eight times in the first half, and three of them were from kickoffs. Then when he was given two chances in the second half, the Gabon international didn’t hit either one.
Arsenal’s goal, simple in its creation, was a powerful Gabriel header from a Willian cross, but beyond that, they rarely threatened a Wolves backline that is also notoriously solid.
Arteta needs a quick fix to his team’s outspokenness because, on a day when North London rivals Tottenham returned to the top of the table, they appear to be further than ever from the top flight elite. English.
‘No excuses’ – what they said
Arteta, Arsenal manager: “They had two shots on goal and scored both times. In the second half, my team showed resistance, unity and faith to try to get the game back. We generated good opportunities but all players go through periods in which they struggle to score goals.
“It is my responsibility that the team scores more goals. There are no excuses, we have to improve.”
Chief of the wolves Nuno: “It’s terrible when you see one of your players [Jimenez] in an incident like that. We have to do a proper evaluation, but you are in good hands.
“I am very proud of my team tonight. The talent and quality are there and the will and faith we have will move us forward.”
Shy Gunners: The Stats
- Arsenal’s 13-point tally is the lowest after their first 10 games of any league campaign since 1981-82 (12).
- Arsenal have lost three consecutive Premier League games at home for the second time since the start of last season. Before this, they had never suffered three consecutive losses at home in the competition.
- The Lobos’ 17-point score is their most after 10 games of a season in the top flight since 1979-80 (20, adjusting to three points for a win).
- During 2020, only Manchester United (nine) have won more Premier League matches away from home than Wolves’ seven.
- Arsenal have lost five of their last eight league games, after being beaten in just five of their first 22 with Arteta.
- Neto has scored as many goals in Wolves’ 10 league games this season as he did in 29 last season (three).
Whats Next?
The Wolves have a trip to champion Liverpool next Sunday (start at 19:15 GMT), while Arsenal have the North London derby against the leaders Spurs on the same day (16:30).
Before that, the Gunners host Rapid Vienna in the Europa League on Thursday (8pm).
