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Arsenal had not lost a match in any competition since August 18, 2018 when they were defeated by Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. They had gone 22 matches unbeaten and had a winning run amidst the unbeaten record.
However, this weekend their unbeaten sequence was finally ended by a Southampton team playing their first home game under new manager, Ralph Hasenhüttl. Charlie Austin scored the decisive goal in the 85th minute as the makeshift Arsenal defence conceded a third header in the game.
Here's a look at three reasons why this defeat for Arsenal was coming.
#1 Shaky defence
This Arsenal defence was eventually going to cost them. Three clean sheets in seventeen Premier League games is not a record that Unai Emery or Steve Bould will appreciate.
In this unbeaten run, Arsenal were extremely clinical in front of goal and boasted the highest conversion rate in the Premier League. The defence, however, has not been as effective.
Arsenal have conceded 23 goals in the 17 Premier League fixtures played. This shows an average of more than a goal conceded per game. Therefore, Arsenal have needed to score 2 or more goals to win each game. This eventually cost them against Southampton where the 2 goals scored was not enough to get them even a draw.
The 23 goals conceded is higher than that conceded by all their other top four rivals. In fact, Liverpool (7) and Manchester City (10) combined have conceded 17 goals and that is 6 less than Arsenal alone has conceded.
In the top 8 this season, Arsenal have conceded more goals (23) than anybody except Manchester United (29). This defensive frailty was eventually going to tell and it did against Southampton.
The Arsenal team against Southampton was not helped by the absence of first-team regulars; Mustafi, Sokratis and Holding. They had to field a midfielder (Xhaka), a right back (Lichtsteiner) and Koscielny who was playing his first league game after a long-term injury.
This defensive weakness is evident and is the reason they are not in the title race. They have scored more goals than every team except Manchester City and the same number of goals as league leaders Liverpool and yet are in fifth place because of goals conceded.
#2 Languid First-half Performances
It is amazing that Arsenal have played 17 games in the Premier League this season and yet have not had a halftime lead in any of the games. They have gone on to win 10 games and draw 4 while showing amazing powers of recovery.
The stats show that they are fit and mentally sharp at the end but it also shows their distinct inability to finish off games in the first half. It is a tactic used by big clubs. They dominate the first half and gain a comfortable margin. In the second half, they boss the ball and see out the game.
Arsenal have played poorly in the first half of games this season. If games ended in the first half, Arsenal will sit on 12 points and 19th position in the table. If only the second half of games were considered, Arsenal will be second position, on 39 points and behind only Manchester City.
This shows an alarming disparity between the first half and second half displays and it was always going to catch up with them. This disparity is also proven by the fact that Arsenal have scored 27 goals in the second half and only 10 before half-time.
The generally languid first half performances by Arsenal this season is a cause for concern and eventually led them to a defeat after so long without one.
#3 Over-Reliance on substitutes
This probably sounds crazy. Substitutes are part of the team and they are actually brought in to make a difference. Making substitutions that bring a change to the game can only be a good thing then.
All of the above is true. However, it becomes a pattern when games are consistently being changed by substitutes. This can be interpreted in three ways. Firstly, the manager knows how to make vital game-changing contributions. Secondly, the quality of the players on the bench is good and shows great squad depth. Thirdly, the manager was picking the wrong starting XI all along.
Arsenal substitutes have made more game-changing contributions (goals and assists) than any other team in the Premier League. The three explained interpretations are applicable in the case of Arsenal this season.
Arsenal have almost always waited for substitutions before they pick up or kick on in games. It is also a contributing factor in their markedly improved second half displays.
However, it is also a sign that Emery has not picked the right or the strongest starting XI on several occasions in the season.
