Pain in the Arsenal
Fansided

3 positives & negatives as Arsenal exit the Carabao Cup

By Harry Dowsett

Arsenal's Spanish manager Mikel Arteta applauds fans on the pitch after the English League Cup fourth round football match between West Ham United and Arsenal at The London Stadium, in east London, on November 1, 2023. West Ham won the game 3-1. (Photo by HENRY NICHOLLS / 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. / (Photo by HENRY NICHOLLS/AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal's Spanish manager Mikel Arteta applauds fans on the pitch after the English League Cup fourth round football match between West Ham United and Arsenal at The London Stadium, in east London, on November 1, 2023. West Ham won the game 3-1. (Photo by HENRY NICHOLLS / 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. / (Photo by HENRY NICHOLLS/AFP via Getty Images) /
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Declan Rice came on after Arsenal fell 2-0 down. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
Declan Rice came on after Arsenal fell 2-0 down. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images) /

Positive #3: Declan Rice shows his importance

Our fragility in midfield was both solved and highlighted further when Declan Rice was introduced into the game from the bench. His physical presence in the middle of the ensured West Ham’s counter-attacks were far less successful and meant were able to sustain attacks with far more ease.

His performance was relatively impressive and demonstrated just how important he is to this Arsenal side already.

On what is somewhat of a side note, I was also very surprised to see the home crowd booing Rice during the match, with most of us surely expecting him to get a warm welcome from both sets of fans.

Negative #3: Lack of creativity

It feels as though I mention our lack of creativity in almost every single one of these pieces, and once again, it was also an issue in this match too.

We recorded 72% possession and registered 14 shots at goal, and yet, as per the xG Philosophy, had an expected goals figure of just 1.03.

It has been a theme of our entire season so far, we dominate the ball, we have plenty of shots in low-probability areas and we often fail to score the goals our dominance deserves. Until this issue is rectified, we will keep suffering shock results of this nature.

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