WORRIED Arsenal fans are stacking up staggering stats on Mikel Arteta’s fledgling reign and recalled playmaker Mesut Ozil.
Sunday’s 0-0 Premier League draw at Burnley leaves the Gunners with the third-fewest total of shots since Arteta took over last month, with Ozil supplying just one assist in his past 11 games.
Mesut Ozil has gone nine games without an assist, leaving some Arsenal fans claiming he is finished at the top levelCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Tenth-placed Arsenal’s haul of 68 shots is above only Sheffield United’s 66 and 60 for Crystal Palace.
And many supporters were angry at Arteta suggesting Arsenal “couldn’t cope” with the Clarets’ style at times, although the Spaniard refused to blame the longer grass of Turf Moor.
Ozil faded along with the rest of the Gunners, having now gone nine games without an assist on his monthly wages of around £1.4million.
And some Gooners argued the German legend was now “finished” as an elite performer.
Others, though, made similar points to this tweet: “Controlled games vs Chelsea, was class vs Bournemouth. His game isn’t based on stats alone.”
Yet as for the team as a whole, this post was not alone in its damning indictment: “The worst Arsenal team in decades. Too many players not playing for the badge.”
Arteta is actually on a five-game unbeaten run in the Prem, albeit four draws following the 2-0 New Year’s Day win over Manchester United.
But many supporters seem frustrated with failings, particularly in defence and midfield.
One fan tweeted: “Arteta said he’d be ruthless, let’s hope we see that next week and do not start Lacazette or Ozil.”
Another argued: “Our midfield needs fixing. Defence seems to have improved & Auba & Martinelli have been quite clinical this season but our build up play & chance creation has been very minimal at best. Our MF is very poor & barely contribute goals or assists. They’re practically non-existent.”
And one more said: “I’m fed up watching Guendouzi and Willock on pitch.”
After a Turf Moor stalemate where the Gunners impressed for the first 20 minutes, a peeved follower suggested: “Very poor mentality, we should be settling for wins regardless of our poor away form.”
And with a jibe at Arteta another fumed: “Wtf, does the grass have something to do with the fact that Laca played 85 minutes?”
But some Gooners stressed it was unfair and too early to judge Arteta just by a handful of stats from his opening 11 games.
Mikel Arteta has plenty to ponder after the 0-0 draw away to BurnleyCredit: PA:Empics Sport
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta couldn’t be happier with new signings Pablo Mari and Cedric Soares
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
