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#3 Much-improved Arsenal defense deserves credit
Arteta inherited a free-scoring side that conceded a lot of goals. But he is currently managing one that is struggling to score but is extremely stingy at the back. Arteta's side have encountered problems at both ends of the pitch.
The Spaniard, who received a lot of praise for successfully reverting to a back three initially in an effort to add some solidity to his defense, has gone back to the conventional back four this season.
And, after a miserable start to the season, it appears that work in the training ground is paying off for the Gunners. They registered their fourth straight clean sheet in all competitions with the goalless draw against Palace.
While Bernd Leno has been excellent in goal for Arsenal, the arrival of Gabriel Magalhaes and the superb performances of left-back Kieran Tierney seem to have given the likes of Rob Holding, David Luiz, and Pablo Mari an injection of confidence this season. This has led to a much-improved Arsenal backline.
And so, even as Arsenal struggle to find the happy medium between scoring goals and keeping clean sheets, the improved performances from their defenders this season deserve a lot of credit.
#4 Packed footballing calendar starting to catch up with players
While the current football season, in its compressed form, is enjoyable for the football fan as it offers a near-constant stream of live sporting action to indulge in, it has started to take its toll on the players themselves.
The shortened time span, in addition to postponed fixtures due to COVID-19 outbreaks, means that an unprecedented number of matches have to be played in an extremely short period of time.
As a result, there has been a noticeable rise in the number of muscle injuries suffered by Premier League players. This very fixture featured a couple of key absentees as well.
Arsenal were forced to leave out two first-choice defenders in Kieran Tierney and Pablo Mari due to muscle tightness. Palace also had to make do without Jeffrey Schlupp, who was missing due to a hamstring injury.
On a brighter note, however, the home side were able to welcome back Thomas Partey after more than a month’s absence through a hamstring injury. The Ghanaian made his return to action as a second-half substitute.
#5 Arsenal are desperately missing Aubameyang’s goals
Ever since his arrival from Borussia Dortmund, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been amongst the goals for Arsenal. His goals have also inspired his side to numerous victories, not least in the 2019-20 FA Cup.
Unfortunately for Arsenal, the supply of goals from their skipper seems to have dried up this season. This has coincided with a spell of exceptionally poor form for the North London outfit.
Mikel Arteta and the Arsenal faithful were hoping that a goal against Newcastle United last weekend would have opened the floodgates for their misfiring striker. But Aubameyang once again drew a blank against a well-drilled Palace side.
One reason for Aubameyang’s dip in form might be the fact that Arteta is struggling to find his best position. The Gabonese international has been deployed interchangeably as the striker and as a left winger this season.
Whatever is the case for Aubameyang’s misfortunes in front of goal this season, Arsenal will be hoping that he finds his scoring boots sooner rather than later. As we head towards the second half of the season, the Gunners are still on the wrong side of the Premier League table.
