Arsenal are struggling – I’ve been disappointed with their start to the season, says Man Utd legend Paul Scholes

MANCHESTER UNITED legend Paul Scholes has voiced his disappointment with the Gunners’ performance so far.

Despite an unbeaten run in their first five games, Arsenal finds themselves fourth in the Premier League trailing behind Liverpool, Manchester City and Aston Villa.

Mikel Arteta’s squad has secured 11 out of a possible 15 points after facing challenging clashes that included away matches at Aston Villa, Tottenham, and Manchester City.

They secured victories against Villa and their north London rivals, then managed a 2-2 draw in a heated match against City on Sunday.

Now, they are just two points away from the top spot as they aim to finally outdo Pep Guardiola’s team.

But Red Devils icon Scholes has been far from impressed with how the Gunners have played in the opening weeks of the campaign.

Scholes was speaking on The Overlap Fan Debate, brought to you by Sky Bet.

He said: “Arsenal, at some point, have got to beat them [Manchester City at the Etihad]. They nearly did it, and it was a great effort.

“I sat here at the start of the season and thought Arsenal might win the league, but I’ve been a little bit disappointed with their start to the season.”

Arsenal’s defence has been solid this season conceding just three goals so far continuing their strong form from last year.

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Despite netting 91 goals in the 2023-24 season they chose not to sign a new striker over the summer.

Their scoring has significantly dropped this season with only eight goals to their name—fewer than 10th-placed Tottenham.

And Scholes has expressed his doubts about Arteta’s attacking strategy.

He added: “Arsenal have been poor going forward this season.

“You look at all the goals they scored last year, and everyone was talking about getting a centre forward in the summer and you thought they probably didn’t need it.

“But five or six games in, it feels like Arsenal are struggling – it’s not quite clicking.”

Against Tottenham, Arsenal were content to concede possession for long stretches eventually clinching victory from a corner.

Similarly, they aimed to counter-attack against Manchester City which paid off in the first half at the Etihad as they came from behind to lead 2-1.

But after Leandro Trossard’s red card just before halftime the Gunners focused solely on defence in the second half posing no offensive threat.

In that half Arsenal had just 12.5% possession with Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber failing to complete a single pass.

Their strategy nearly succeeded but John Stones scored a last-minute equaliser in the 98th minute.

The Gunners now have an easier run of games on paper, as they prepare to face Leicester, Southampton and Bournemouth in their next three outings.

Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk