Arsenal: 4 areas of concern in the race for top four

2. This Young  Arsenal Team Will be Inconsistent

More than any of their current top four rivals at present, Arsenal have found consistency in the league. Dropping just five points from the previous 30 available – with the only defeat coming against the champions – the level they’ve found has been key to them overtaking Wolves, West Ham, United and Spurs when they’ve faltered.

It would still be wise to prepare for the inevitable stumble. It won’t be a clean sweep.

Almost all of the back five had average games against Watford. Nobody covered themselves in glory and there were structural issued coupled with moments of individual sloppiness. Fortunately the attacking football was excellent so that wasn’t punished, as well as the Hornets being a majorly dreadful side.

Saka was mesmeric against Watford but he has off days too. Martinelli scored a fabulous goal in that game too but his last two displays overall haven’t been at the standard he set earlier in the winter.

A bit like the 0-0 draw with Brighton at the AMEX where everyone underperformed, given the age of this squad, and even the inconsistencies of some of the senior players, a collective poor game is due at some stage.

It may never come, so who knows? Yet it’s worth remembering how new of an environment this is for so many, including someone like Aaron Ramsdale who has gone from three relegations in four seasons to competing for a Champions League and England number one place.

Games where it’s not quite coming off, be it individually or collectively, are expected.

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