The team's demise mostly coincided with defender William Saliba's back injury sustained during their Europa League elimination in March.
Mikel Arteta thinks that Arsenal's attempt to fend off Manchester City and win the Premier League was ultimately hurt by the timing of the injuries that struck his team late in the season.
The team's demise mostly coincided with defender William Saliba's back injury received during their Europa League loss to Sporting Lisbon in March, with backup center back Rob Holding finding it difficult to match his teammate's performance.
In addition, Arsenal missed significant periods of the season without defenders Oleksandr Zinchenko and Takehiro Tomiyasu, midfielder Mohamed Elneny, attackers Eddie Nketiah and Gabriel Jesus, and midfielder Oleksandr Zinchenko. Despite leading the league for 248 days, City eventually caught up to Arsenal.
The club now has the unfavorable record for the most days spent at the top of the league without winning the title.
Just nine points from their final eight games put an end to Arteta's team's challenge, but the manager cited three draws in April -- away at Liverpool and West Ham and at home against bottom-place Southampton -- as the time when their title aspirations suffered the most serious harm.
The Gunners let Saints take a 3-1 lead at the Emirates, from which they were unable to come back and win after blowing two-goal leads at Anfield and the London Stadium.
Despite Saliba's absence, Arteta believed his team should have defeated each of its three opponents, but he also pointed out that teams that did not have the unfortunate injury luck that Arsenal experienced this season typically win the championship.
We could have won at least three of the games that we drew without Willy, and two of them quite easily, according to Arteta. "There were a few things (that caused the collapse)," he continued. We didn't, though.
"There were times when we should have taken advantage of the opportunity that was right in front of us, but we didn't. 24 players who are healthy, prepared to participate, and in top shape must be present at this point.
blogpay
Total Comments: 0