The Carabao Cup hangover

Mikel Arteta’s decision to start Kepa Arrizabalaga in the Carabao Cup final was a massive gamble that blew up in his face. Watching that ball spill out of his hands was painful, but the issues went far deeper than a single error. Arsenal looked disjointed in the final third and lacked the typical intensity we expect from a title-chasing side.

As reported by the Mirror, the frustration among the traveling support was palpable by the hour mark. You cannot expect to win silverware when your defensive rotation looks this shaky. Arteta clearly wanted to reward his cup keeper, but in a high-stakes final, sentimentality is a luxury you cannot afford.

Tactical stagnation

The bigger concern is the lack of a plan B when the opposition packs the middle of the pitch. Arsenal relied far too heavily on wide overloads that were easily snuffed out by a disciplined low block. There was zero movement between the lines, and the transition play was sluggish at best.

When Bukayo Saka is forced to drop into his own half to collect the ball, the system is broken. Arteta needs to stop overthinking the personnel and get back to the basics that made this team so dangerous last season. If they continue to play at this tempo, they are going to drop points against mid-table sides who are happy to sit back and counter.

The upcoming reality check

Looking at the next few fixtures, the pressure is mounting. The squad depth is being tested, and the rotation players simply aren't offering the same level of output as the starters. A team that aspires to be champions cannot afford these lapses in concentration.

I expect Arsenal to bounce back with a win this weekend, but it won't be pretty. They will likely grind out a 1-0 victory through a set-piece scramble rather than fluid attacking play. The confidence is clearly dented, and the goalkeeper situation needs to be resolved immediately to avoid further embarrassment.

Why the defense is the real worry

It isn't just the man between the sticks. The center-back pairing looked uncharacteristically exposed during recent transitions, often leaving the fullbacks isolated against pacey wingers. If they don't tighten up the gaps, they will get picked apart by teams with actual clinical finishers.

Arteta has built a solid foundation, but he is currently tinkering with a winning formula that no longer feels coherent. They need to simplify their approach and stop trying to walk the ball into the net. If they don't find their rhythm by the end of the month, the top four is going to look a lot more competitive than they anticipated.