Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta would have originally had high hopes for the 2024/25 Premier League campaign given our over all performance levels in recent years, and with the problems that Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City side have faced in the first six months of the campaign, logic and betting odds would have left most fans confident a good few months ago that we would now be in top spot in the table.
That could not be further from the truth as we make our way towards the month of February and it was one of the topics that former Gunner and England No 1, David Seaman, spoke about on his Betway sponsored, Seaman Says podcast.
Arne Slot has enjoyed an incredible start to life at Anfield as Jurgen Klopp’s replacement following his decision to leave the club during last summer, and they enjoy a six point lead (with a game in hand) over us at the time of writing. We are also joint on points with Nottingham Forest (goal difference is our advantage) who have surprised everyone this year by enjoying a fantastic campaign of their own, and one of the big topics of conversation coming out of the Emirates Stadium again centres on their lack of a more died in the wool and clinical striker.
It is a long standing chat amongst fans at the club, and with our goals scored to chances created ratio falling for the last few seasons, it has become a growing focus for many and it was for Seaman as he spoke following the recent 1-1 draw with Brighton and Hove Albion. In the 61 year old’s opinion, it was now beginning to really cost us as we have simply picked up too many draws already this campaign, and Brighton in particular was a lost opportunity to really put the pressure on in the race for the title.
“We didn’t create anywhere near enough. I was disappointed. A lot of play going around in the sides, back in the middle, around the sides and then back. Not direct enough. We need to be putting pressure on Liverpool, because what’s going on at Liverpool at the moment might distract them, with the three guys who are out of contract. Alright, we’ve got injuries, there’s no doubt. But we need to keep that pressure on them all the time, and that didn’t happen. When we’re fully fit then the squad’s decent. Now it’s being really tested, but then chances arise for other people. Nwaneri, look at his goal. What a player he looks. He’s got a fantastic left foot and he’s been brilliant. I get so excited when I see him because I know he’s going to do something.”
Returning to the title battle, he added specifically that he was concerned about our seven draws so far, although granted they are better than defeats.
“A little bit, but it’s the defeats I’d look at. Draws are still picking up points. It’s not gaining momentum, but you’re getting a little bit of confidence out of it. You’re not getting beaten. We’ve been to Brighton before and have been taught a lesson sometimes. It’s good that we got the point, but my disappointment on the night was: “what a chance that was to put more pressure on.”
We have, of course, only lost twice in the league so far but many will appreciate where he is coming from and in the remainder of the podcast he discusses the William Saliba penalty and how he feels that football is getting into a right mess with itself with the rules, and he expands on his thoughts about our lack of a striker as he makes a new one his top priority for the remainder of this transfer window.
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