4/10 Arsenal star could have price them the title

With Liverpool ceding territory in latest Premier League matches Arsenal began to seek out hope of their flailing title bid. Accidents have laid waste to Mikel Arteta‘s frontline, however they nonetheless ought to have defeated West Ham United on the Emirates.

As an alternative, Arteta watched in horror as his aspect failed to interrupt the Irons down and groaned deeper nonetheless when Jarrod Bowen discovered house within the space to information Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s swooping cross past David Raya.

Arsenal will hope that their latest title nemesis Manchester Metropolis will do them a favour and consign Arne Slot‘s group to the shedding column on Sunday night, however the Gunners would nonetheless path Liverpool by a chasmic eight factors, albeit with a sport in hand.

Whereas it is onerous to pin the missed alternative all the way down to a single second, Myles Lewis-Skelly‘s second-half crimson card killed any likelihood of staging a comeback and retaining the title flame flickering.

Myles Lewis-Skelly’s second of insanity

Subbed on earlier than the hour mark with Arsenal trailing, Lewis-Skelly lasted simply 17 minutes earlier than being given his marching orders by referee Craig Pawson after a VAR intervention.

The younger full-back, so proficient, so promising, has already confronted the riotous crimson of the referee’s e book this season, however not like in opposition to Wolves, this one is not prone to be overturned.

A tussle with Mohammed Kudus had seen the Ghanaian going through Arsenal’s half with no defender in sight, and when Lewis-Skelly wrestled him to the bottom, VAR’s intrusion solely meant one factor.

It is tough responsible the 18-year-old for an excessive amount of. He has been one of many Londoners’ brightest sparks this season and has been “exhibiting an insane stage” amongst his senior friends this time period, so says analyst Ben Mattinson.

Arsenal have been branded by some as toothless in entrance of aim in latest weeks, and whereas circumstance is essential, Riccardo Calafiori was the one man to strike the goal

The Italian defender may need proven some initiative in that occasion, however he price his group dearly because the hopes of lifting the Premier League trophy light into obscurity.

Why Riccardo Calafiori could have price Arteta

Calafiori has solely began 9 Premier League matches since becoming a member of Arsenal final summer season, however he did himself no favours in claiming a most constant beginning function in opposition to West Ham.

He’d been introduced with a good shot at opening the impasse within the first half, however it was on the different finish of the sector that Calafiori the place shall be left red-faced, having been overwhelmed far too simply by Wan-Bissaka earlier than the Hammers man looped a ball into Bowen’s path.

Having didn’t win all three of his floor duels, not even tried a dribble and certainly been overwhelmed by the ball-carrying Wan-Bissaka on two events, it was one to neglect for the 22-year-old, who price the Gunners a reasonably at £42m together with add-ons final summer season, becoming a member of from Bologna.

He lacked connectivity regardless of putting one key move. Furthermore, the Italy worldwide was negated by the United low block, failing to even try a cross for makeshift centre-forward Mikel Merino – whose power at quantity 9, maybe, lay in his high quality within the air.

A lot has been made about Arsenal’s battle attackers, however with Calafiori’s shows so far hinting that he has work to do earlier than turning into a recognised starter in a proficient backline, you wonder if Arteta shall be seeking to head again into the left-back market sooner or later – particularly if Lewis-Skelly’s long-term future lies within the centre of the park.

Towards West Ham, the Night Normal definitely felt that Calafiori flattered to deceive, branding the dynamic defender with a 4/10 match score after a show that left lots to be desired.

With Oleksandr Zinchenko routinely stored on the sidelines, it is unlikely that Calafiori will lose his place to the Ukrainian – nevertheless, Ben White’s return from harm might see Jurrien Timber take up the left-sided berth.

Final season, Calafiori performed 29 of his 37 appearances with Bologna in central defence, taking part in a dynamic and expansive function however bringing vitality to Thiago Motta’s high-flying, Champions League-qualifying aspect, the beating coronary heart.

He’s in fact an in a position and probably good Premier League left-back, however Arsenal want extra vitality and drive to stretch and overcome such defensive blocks, averaging a dribble solely as soon as each two matches.

If Graham Potter’s West Ham had been in a position to obtain such success in opposition to Arsenal, followers will little question be involved heading into subsequent Wednesday’s contest in opposition to Nottingham Forest on the Metropolis Floor, maybe the division’s most industrious and strong counter-attacking unit.

Calafiori has proven that he’s endowed with the method to make an actual identify for himself in north London, however this one confirmed that he has a lot to do. Free along with his passing and flimsy within the face of attacking adversity, his withdrawal earlier than the hour mark instructed the complete story.

Maybe probably the most regarding half for Calafiori is that he put in a efficiency that can have accomplished him no favours in leaping forward of Lewis-Skelly as Arteta’s first-choice left-back – and that is regardless of the teenager’s crimson card.

Arsenal have to press the iron over their many creases within the coming weeks. There’s nonetheless time to mount a late-stage cost and stress Liverpool – who’ve proven themselves vulnerable to dropping factors – however with out extra impetus and management, Arteta will probably be resigned to a 3rd runners-up medal on the trot.

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