Mikel Arteta is under pressure

 

Raul Jimenez appeared to be knocked unconscious following a fifth-minute clash of heads with David Luiz and received oxygen on the field during almost 10 minutes of treatment before being taken to hospital.

In the absence of their top scorer, Wolves struck twice through Pedro Neto and, although Gabriel briefly headed Arsenal level, the visitors claimed a deserved three points through Daniel Podence's superbly taken 42nd-minute winner.

The win was a huge boost for the Wolves, who were shaken by the injury of Jimenez, but Mikel Arteta discovered himself under humungous pressure like his predecessor Unai Emery, who was sacked exactly on the same day one year ago.

Arsenal now sit 14th in the Premier League after this 2-1 loss to Wolves, and have just 13 points from their opening 10 Premier League fixtures; their lowest ever tally at this stage of the competition. They have scored just 10 goals in the league this season, of which eight came in their opening four games.

The Wolves were the better side and Arsenal were like a ship without radar, who had no answer to their pressing. The Gunners left spaces at the back while at the center of the park; the absence of Thomas Partey was evident.

The goals were all scored before the interval and Wolves merited their lead, even if Arteta was less than inclined to agree afterward. Nuno Espirito Santo again chose a more fluid 4-2-3-1 formation and their raids oozed menace and precision, bringing a well-worked opener before the half-hour.

Adama Traore got the better of Kieran Tierney down the Arsenal left and Neto was on hand to convert when Leander Dendoncker's header came back off the crossbar. Opportunism and poor Arsenal defending were again evident when Wolves made it 2-1 - Podence deftly lifting a bouncing ball over Gabriel and finding a finish after Bernd Leno saved Neto's deflected strike with his legs.

The direct running of Wolves' attackers continued to cause Arsenal problems after the break and Hector Bellerin needed a last-ditch block to deny Podence with an hour played.

Wolves' superiority appeared to encourage sloppiness inside the final 20 minutes, with chances offered up to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Reiss Nelson.

Aubameyang remains without a Premier League goal in open play since the opening weekend of the season and headed wastefully over from Bellerin's 82nd-minute delivery.

The frontline is blunt, the defence is full of loopholes and the midfield is stagnant and Arteta seems to have no idea like Emery.

After the match, he said, “It's something that the day I decided to be a coach I know that one day I will be sacked or leave the football club.”

“I don't know if it's the day after I sign my contact, in a month's time, a year's time, or six months’ time. I never worry about it.”

Arteta seems relaxed and sounded composed enough like all coaches do under pressure.

But, he needs to instill the fighting spirit within his team to deliver the best.

Note: This article has been posted at Cricketsoccer as CSdesk on 30/11/2020 Mikel Arteta is under pressure

Thank You

Faisal Caesar