I mean, he’s not wrong, is he?
Arsenal are currently averaging one point per game this season, as they sit in 15th place in the table, on 14 points, after 4 games.
They are just four points above 18th placed Fulham, and two points above Brighton, who sit one place above the relegation zone in 17th.
Mikel Arteta’s side have not won since November 1st, when they beat Manchester United 1-0 at Old Trafford.
That’s the indisputable data, but the intangibles do not provide much reason to be optimistic either. Arsenal have looked bereft of ideas in attack, incoherent off the ball, and psychologically drained. It is not en exaggeration to say they are sleepwalking into a relegation battle.
And newly appointed West Brom boss Sam Allardyce agrees. When asked today whether he considered the north London side rivals int he fight for Premier League survival, he said: “Absolutely. They haven’t won a PL game for almost double figures.”
Arsenal are seven games without a win. Anyway, he continued: “Getting beaten last night [vs Man City in League Cup], even though it’s not in the Premier League, drains the confidence of Arsenal’s players. They will be wondering what has hit them.”
Asked Sam Allardyce if @Arsenal were rivals at bottom: "Absolutely. They haven’t won a PL game for almost double figures (is seven, one win in 10). Getting beaten last night, even though not in PL drains confidence of Arsenal’s players. They will be wondering what has hit them"
— Simon Stone (@sistoney67) December 23, 2020
Them and us, Sam. It is difficult to explain the current crisis at Arsenal. Even by their standards, the current situation feels more toxic than any moment under Unai Emery.
The FA Cup and Community Shield victories suggested Arsenal were turning a corner. Arteta seemed to have refreshed the dressing room atmosphere, they appeared to have a tactical plan that played to the strengths of the squad. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang signed a new contract.
So what has happened? Who knows. But one thing is for certain: if form does not drastically improve soon, relegation will become a real, terrifying possibility and Arteta will be out the door.
