Pain in the Arsenal
Fansided

6 moments that defined Arsenal’s 2021/22 season

By Adam Schultz

Arsenal's Norwegian midfielder Martin Odegaard (L) reacts after the English Premier League football match between Newcastle United and Arsenal at St James' Park in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, north east England on May 16, 2022. - Newcastle won the match 2-0. - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal's Norwegian midfielder Martin Odegaard (L) reacts after the English Premier League football match between Newcastle United and Arsenal at St James' Park in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, north east England on May 16, 2022. - Newcastle won the match 2-0. - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images) /
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4. Losing Kieran Tierney and Thomas Partey

Arsenal, KT
Kieran Tierney was absent down the stretch. (Photo by James Williamson – AMA/Getty Images) /

The hammer blow loss to Palace was further compounded when star duo Kieran Tierney (knee injury) and Thomas Partey (thigh) were both ruled out for the rest of the season. After seemingly having a tight grip on the fourth spot, the Gunners barely had a fingernail on it now.

There is no secret to just how vital Partey is to everything Arsenal does. With his ability to take the ball under pressure and manoeuvre out of tight spaces, constantly move the team forward with his progressive passes, and willingness to shield the back four, Partey’s loss was immense.

Tierney, meanwhile, had been a staple of the back four, and his marauding runs and ability to defend meant, more often than not, the left side was locked down.

With the pair missing, Arteta was forced to shuffle the deck and bring in Mohamed Elneny, Nuno Tavares, and Cedric to replace them. As we know, that did not work out too well in the end.

The loss of Partey and Tierney essentially cost Arsenal a top-four bid. One can argue that had both been present for the run-in, the Gunners would have made the top four without a doubt.

Continued on the next slide…

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