Arsenal Vs Manchester City: 3 huge questions from damning defeat

Arsenal suffered another damning defeat to Manchester City on Wednesday night, losing 3-0 as David Luiz was sent off. Here are three huge questions.

After what seems like a lifetime, football is back. Sadly, Arsenal are too. Wednesday night’s trip to Manchester City was never going to be easy, despite a lot of optimism earlier in the week and before the game. It would take a little short of a miracle to pull off a victory at the Etihad. Nevertheless, the 3-0 scoreline was kind to the Gunners, and while they fought well and worked hard before the sending off, it was another dismal night.

Here are three huge questions many have following the damning defeat.

3. How can Arsenal rectify attack?

Mikel Arteta tried something different with his attackers. Alexandre Lacazette and Nicolas Pepe broth dropped to the bench, Bukayo Saka switched sides, and Joe Willock started in central midfield ahead of Mesut Ozil. It still did not work. But what is the formula to rectify this?

Currently, there isn’t one. Once again, in a game against a top-six opponent, Arsenal failed to have a shot on target in 90 minutes. It’s an alarming fact when you consider how much they have spent on their attack over the last two years. In the first 45 minutes, every time the ball reached the final third, the attacking players lacked invention, speed of thought, clever rotations, and creativity. They looked nervous and rushed things. The only decent chance that was created stemmed from a City error.

Moving forward this is something that Arteta needs to rectify if he wants the team to challenge and qualify for the Champions League next season. He has the players who can do the business against the bigger teams, but at this point, nothing is clicking. The attack looks lightweight and lethargic and there does not seem to be a clear solution to fix it.

<p>Here are three huge questions many have following the damning defeat.</p> <div id="attachment_102091" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-102091" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/06/18/arsenal-vs-manchester-city-3-huge-questions-damning-defeat/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1250321069-2-850x560.jpeg" alt="" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – JUNE 17: Kyle Walker of Manchester City tackles Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Arsenal FC at Etihad Stadium on June 17, 2020 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Peter Powell/Pool via Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h4>3. How can Arsenal rectify attack?</h4> <p>Mikel Arteta tried something different with his attackers. Alexandre Lacazette and Nicolas Pepe broth dropped to the bench, Bukayo Saka switched sides, and Joe Willock started in central midfield ahead of Mesut Ozil. It still did not work. But what is the formula to rectify this?</p> <p>Currently, there isn’t one. Once again, in a game against a top-six opponent, Arsenal failed to have a shot on target in 90 minutes. It’s an alarming fact when you consider how much they have spent on their attack over the last two years. In the first 45 minutes, every time the ball reached the final third, the attacking players lacked invention, speed of thought, clever rotations, and creativity. They looked nervous and rushed things. The only decent chance that was created stemmed from a City error.</p> <p>Moving forward this is something that Arteta needs to rectify if he wants the team to challenge and qualify for the Champions League next season. He has the players who can do the business against the bigger teams, but at this point, nothing is clicking. The attack looks lightweight and lethargic and there does not seem to be a clear solution to fix it.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/06/18/arsenal-vs-manchester-city-3-huge-questions-damning-defeat/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> 2. Is this the end of the road for Mesut Ozil?  </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_100077" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-100077" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/06/18/arsenal-vs-manchester-city-3-huge-questions-damning-defeat/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1209146364-850x560.jpeg" alt="Arsenal, Mesut Ozil" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">Arsenal, Mesut Ozil (Photo by Chloe Knott – Danehouse/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h4>2. Is this the end of the road for Mesut Ozil?</h4> <p>The starting line-up was a shock, to say the least, especially with Pablo Mari, Kieran Tierney, Bukayo Saka, Joe Willock and Eddie Nketiah all starting, many of which in place of more senior and experienced options. However, the most surprising decision was the complete omission of<a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/06/18/arsenal-vs-manchester-city-3-huge-questions-damning-defeat/"https://paininthearsenal.com/?s=mesut+ozil%22> Mesut Ozil</a> despite no injuries and him training in the week.</p> <div class="recent-posts "> <h4>More from <b>Pain in the Arsenal</b></h4> <ul> <li> <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/06/18/arsenal-vs-manchester-city-3-huge-questions-damning-defeat/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/11/10/arsenal-interest-miguel-gutierrez-girona/"> Fabrizio Romano confirms Arsenal interest in Girona star </a> </li><li> <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/06/18/arsenal-vs-manchester-city-3-huge-questions-damning-defeat/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/11/10/when-will-martin-odegaard-return-from-his-injury/"> When will Martin Odegaard return from his injury? </a> </li><li> <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/06/18/arsenal-vs-manchester-city-3-huge-questions-damning-defeat/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/11/10/2-midfielders-arsenal-could-sign-in-january-transfer-window/"> 2 midfielders Arsenal could sign in January transfer window </a> </li><li> <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/06/18/arsenal-vs-manchester-city-3-huge-questions-damning-defeat/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/11/10/thomas-partey-unlikely-to-play-for-arsenal-again-in-2023/"> Thomas Partey unlikely to play for Arsenal again in 2023 </a> </li><li> <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/06/18/arsenal-vs-manchester-city-3-huge-questions-damning-defeat/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/11/10/predicted-arsenal-lineup-vs-burnley-saka-fit-to-start/"> Predicted Arsenal lineup vs Burnley: Saka fit to start? </a> </li></ul> </div> <p>Arteta said after the match the Ozil was left out due to ‘tactical reasons’. Quite what that means, however, is difficult to say. Surely there was a place on the bench for someone who started all ten of Arteta’s previous 10 league games as head coach?</p> <p>A lot of the speculation could indicate a falling out between the two with Ozil having a history of not exactly being a manager’s favourite. It could, of course, be something completely innocent, but whatever it is, I’m sure Arteta will want to keep things in-house.</p> <p>One thing for sure though is Ozil’s omission will certainly raise a few eyebrows with people especially when it looked like he had been given a second chance after Arteta took over. With young players ready to step up to the first team and Ozil falling out of the graces of the man who seemingly believed in him, could this be the end of the road at Arsenal?</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/06/18/arsenal-vs-manchester-city-3-huge-questions-damning-defeat/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> 1. What is David Luiz's future? </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_102084" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-102084" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/06/18/arsenal-vs-manchester-city-3-huge-questions-damning-defeat/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1220753590-850x560.jpeg" alt="" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">(Photo by PETER POWELL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h4>1. What is David Luiz’s future?</h4> <p>Defensive mistakes and <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/06/18/arsenal-vs-manchester-city-3-huge-questions-damning-defeat/"https://paininthearsenal.com/?s=david+luiz%22>David Luiz</a> go hand in hand. As soon as he was introduced for Pablo Mari, there was reason to be scared. It took him just 25 minutes to confirm those fears. It started with the first goal when his poor attempted clearance from Kevin de Bruyne’s pass let in Raheem Sterling to give City the lead.</p> <p>His sending-off in the second half was equally as calamitous. First pulled out of position, then outpaced, Riyad Mahrez ran rings around Luiz before being hauled to the floor in the penalty area. To put it politely, he had an absolute nightmare. It was classic behaviour from Luiz.</p> <p>Given that he can now leave on a free this summer, serious questions regarding his future must be asked. His presence in the dressing room is a lift for a lot of the younger players but unfortunately, this is not matched by his ability. He is too much of a liability on the pitch.</p> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="StoryLink" data-theme="dark" data-text="Arsenal Vs Manchester City: 5 things we learned" data-url="https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/06/17/arsenal-vs-manchester-city-5-things-learned-nothing-changed/" data-call-to-action="Next"> <div class="story-link-next"> <a class="story-link-next-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="story-link-next-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/06/18/arsenal-vs-manchester-city-3-huge-questions-damning-defeat/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/06/17/arsenal-vs-manchester-city-5-things-learned-nothing-changed/"> <span class="call_to_action">Next:</span> Arsenal Vs Manchester City: 5 things we learned </a> </div> </div> <p>If Arteta is to keep him which he might do as he has heavily praised his leadership skills int he past, he needs to keep him as a leader off the pitch, someone to lift the spirits of the players on the training pitch or in the dressing room, and not as an error-strewn mess on the pitch. Luiz’s future is up in the air and the questions are mounting.</p><!—pageview_candidate—>">