“Uninteresting” Arsenal have “gone backwards” after these poor switch choices, says journalist

Mikel Arteta, Riccardo Calafiori, William Saliba, and Mikel Merino (Picture by Alex Pantling, Bryn Lennon/Getty Pictures)

Arsenal have been slammed for going backwards and changing into uninteresting to observe underneath Mikel Arteta, with journalist John Cross slamming the workforce after yesterday’s defeat to Manchester United.

The Gunners drew 1-1 with the Purple Devils however misplaced on penalties as they have been dumped out of the FA Cup third spherical on the Emirates Stadium, lacking out as soon as once more on a chance to win some silverware.

This outcome additionally adopted the 2-0 defeat at dwelling to Newcastle in midweek, which leaves Arsenal’s Carabao Cup hopes hanging by a thread as they now have to go to St James’ Park with a mountain to climb for the second leg.

See beneath because the Mirror’s John Cross lays into Arsenal’s poor work within the switch market that has contributed to this decline this season, singling out the injury-prone Riccardo Calafiori and the underwhelming Mikel Merino…

Arsenal have been such enjoyable to observe for 2 seasons. Then final summer season they signed a workmanlike midfielder and a left again who has been injury-prone. They’ve gone backwards. Arteta has made all of it about management relatively than aptitude and pleasure. And it’s uninteresting and never working.

— John Cross (@johncrossmirror) January 12, 2025

This may resonate with some Arsenal followers, however on the similar time it’s maybe unfair to disregard the accidents the workforce has needed to take care of this season.

Whereas the membership’s summer season window might undoubtedly have been higher, it’s additionally probably that they wouldn’t be struggling as a lot proper now if Bukayo Saka, Ben White, Riccardo Calafiori and Ethan Nwaneri have been match and out there.

What subsequent for Arsenal?

Mikel Merino in motion for Arsenal (Picture by Justin Setterfield/Getty Pictures)

There’s absolutely nonetheless some hope for Arsenal within the weeks and months forward, as they continue to be in competition, albeit as outsiders, in each the Premier League and the Champions League.

The north London giants tackle rivals Tottenham subsequent and can absolutely be the favourites to win that one, as Spurs haven’t been in significantly nice type just lately both.

Nonetheless, there’s additionally clearly potential for this to go very fallacious, so followers might be hoping signings could be made between now and the top of January in a bid to save lots of the season.