The restart to the Premier League season for Arsenal was not expected to be like this at all, with the gunners going from the only team undefeated in the league in 2020 to losing two games off the restart. Two crucial injuries for Arteta against Manchestet City with Granit Xhaka, the key to Arteta’s midfield getting stretchered off immediatly after kickoff and Pablo Marii, Arsenal loanee who had a bright start in the game getting subbed off injured as well. The gunners looked evenly matched and were arguably the better side against city before Marri’s injury with evenly split possesion and two goal scoring opportunites early on. David Luiz had a disaster class gifting a goal and and rewarding City a penalty, along with getting sent off ending any hope for the gunners to get a result in the match.
Arsenal weren’t expected to win against Manchester City and the game was viewed as a write off from manager Arteta as well, but it was expected of them to win against Brighton & Hove Albion. They blew a 1-0 lead conceding in the last minute of the game, ending the gunners hope of qualifying for the Champions League next season and possibly European football entirely. The biggest blow to Arsenal was losing star keep Bernd Leno in the first half. He’s been arguably their best player this season along with Pierre Emerick Aubameyang, and it’s being rumoured he’ll be out for a year. The injury list expands for Arsenal as Callum Chambers, Cedric Soares, Lucas Torriera, Sokratis, Pablo Marri, and Granit Xhaka currently injured.
Arsenal still have 8 games left to go but still need to play Liverpool, Tottenham, Leicester, and Wolves who are all currently above them in the table. If the gunners found it difficult to beat relegation threatened Brighton, they have a huge obstacle to overcome if they plan to qualify for at least the Europa League next season.
Alex's Soccer Blog 