Arsenal face new transfer demand after worrying title themes continue
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There was more than a hint of Deja vu about Arsenal’s performance at Brighton on Saturday. It summed up the Gunners’ season as a combination of fitness issues, a lack of creativity and a controversial refereeing decision led to them dropping points.
Manchester United did Arsenal a favour on Sunday to ensure they did not lose ground on Premier League leaders Liverpool, but it is hard to escape the feeling that Mikel Arteta’s side are clinging on in the title race. They faded in the second half on Saturday at the Amex as fatigue set into a squad already hit by injuries and illness.
That will be a major concern given the Gunners still have seven more games to come this month, starting with the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final tie against Newcastle on Tuesday. Arteta said in his final press conference of 2024 how his New Year’s resolution was to keep everyone fit.
That was no surprise given Arsenal lost captain Martin Odegaard for two months to an ankle injury earlier this season and now Bukayo Saka will be absent until at least March after tearing his hamstring. Arteta’s luck, however, has not turned and his squad have kicked off this year with illness in the camp. It has forced Kai Havertz to miss the last two games, while Odegaard was only fit enough for the bench on Saturday after not training in the build-up to the match at Brighton.
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