MIKEL ARTETA’S Arsenal tactics have been described as a ‘doughnut of sadness’ after their shocker at Brentford.
The Gunners showed very little in attack against Thomas Frank’s newly-promoted side, and their strategy was ripped apart after Friday’s game.
In perhaps the most brutal take yet on the abysmal display, their tactical system was called a ‘doughnut of shame’.
Both Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette were missing through illness.
As a result, Folarin Balogun led the line in front of Emile Smith Rowe, Nicolas Pepe and Gabriel Martinelli.
But the quartet struggled to carve out many clear cut chances and Arteta’s attack was continually stifled by the resilient Bees.
Fans and pundits have heavily criticised the Gunners.
And the analysis from Tifo – a football tactics podcast – was particularly cutting.
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In a video posted online, a presenter in a Gunners shirt discusses their attacking strategy.
He describes a passage of play where Arteta’s side are in an attacking position but end up passing all the way back to their defence and slowly switching play to the opposite wing.
Drawing the trajectory of the ball as it circles around the pitch without going anywhere, the analyst mournfully says: “Pepe cuts back in and he goes back to [Calum] Chambers, and Chambers goes to [Ben] White, and White goes back to Sambi [Lokonga].
“Then Sambi puts it back to [Granit] Xhaka, and Xhaka goes back to [Kieran] Tierney, and it goes again and again and again in this doughnut of sadness.
“The doughnut of shame – going around and around and around and around, never going anywhere.”
Chambers, White and Pablo Mari put in very shaky performances as Brentford were gifted both their goals.
Tierney and Smith Rowe were the only bright sparks for Arsenal on the night.
Gooners everywhere will hope for a swift improvement as their team face Chelsea and Manchester City in their next two Premier League games.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
