Arsenal’s weekend caution means Benfica or bust for Arteta

Even when our expectations are low, we’re still left feeling disappointed. In the latest instalment of what has been a truly wretched campaign, Arsenal fell to yet another – although not surprising – defeat in the Premier League on Sunday, with a Raheem Sterling header after just 72 seconds proving decisive in securing an 18th consecutive win in all competitions for champions-elect Manchester City.

With one eye on a crucial Europa League clash with Benfica on Thursday, Mikel Arteta made five changes for the visit of Pep Guardiola’s indomitable Citizens, opting to keep key figures such as Gabriel and Emile Smith Rowe in reserve. While these changes reflect both the importance of continental success for our season and the improbability of us beating an in-form City outfit anyway, did the boss perhaps show too much respect to his former employers at the weekend?

Despite boasting an uncharacteristically impressive defensive record this season, Arsenal were repeatedly torn apart by City in the opening 30 minutes of the game.

The visitors dominated the ball for large periods and terrorised our shell-shocked defence with some clever movement from the wide players, while much of our early endeavours involved chasing shadows in a match that bore all the hallmarks of an impending drubbing.

Arsenal’s timid weekend performance increases the importance of beating Benfica on Thursday

However, despite the quality of the opposition, Arsenal simply did not do enough to win once the early pressure had subsided. Registering 45% possession in the game, the Gunners had ample opportunity to gain a foothold on proceedings but failed on each occasion due to poor decision making or a lack of quality in promising areas which killed the momentum of every attack.

While we must acknowledge that City are light years ahead of us in almost every department, it was more so because of the frequent committal of basic errors that we failed to take any points.

Additionally, some blame can be attributed to the manager, who appeared to set the team up to reduce the margin of defeat rather than show any real desire to at least snatch a point. Granted, any expansive play on our part may have resulted in something of a slaughter, but why not try something a bit different as the clock ticked into added time?

Our 11th defeat of the league season means we lose more ground in the race for a top seven domestic finish, but its most meaningful outcome is the addition of one more egg to the Europa League basket. Having understandably prioritised a win in Athens over the league, whilst overseeing a timid display at the weekend, it’s Benfica or bust for Arteta, and the knives will be out for him if we fail to progress on Thursday.