Arsenal broken because of conservatism

Mikel Arteta's Arsenal continued their slump just days after losing to PSG in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final.

In modern football , the line between consistency and stubbornness is a thin one. What sets great managers apart is the ability to discern when to stick to their philosophy and when to adapt. Mikel Arteta has become a victim of his own stubbornness in coaching.

The 2-1 defeat to Bournemouth at the Emirates in the 35th round of the Premier League on 3 May was not just a normal defeat. This is the reality of Arsenal this season. Arteta's approach to the match - with a virtually unchanged squad from the defeat to PSG in the Champions League semi-final first leg - reflects a coaching mindset that is gradually losing the flexibility needed for top-flight football.

The 21 points they have dropped from winning positions this season is not just a cold statistic. It is the most damning indictment of an Arsenal side that lacks the mentality of champions. No one becomes a champion by repeatedly letting victory slip away. This is not a technical or tactical issue – it is a mental and psychological one.

Martin Ødegaard, the captain who has scored just two Premier League goals this season, is becoming a symbol of Arsenal’s ineffectiveness. Injuries, changes in personal life, and a busy fixture list are just excuses to hide the harsh truth: Arsenal lack squad depth and a plan B when plan A fails.

Martin Ødegaard has only 2 goals in the Premier League in the 2024/25 season.

While Arteta has shackled his own footballing philosophy, Andoni Iraola has shown the value of pragmatism and adaptability. With no star players in the squad, Bournemouth play sensible, compact football and take advantage of every opportunity. They don’t need fancy combinations or expensive players – they just need effective solutions.

Antoine Semenyo doesn’t need to be Messi to make a difference on the pitch – he just needs to do his job. That’s what Arsenal are missing: simplicity that works. Bournemouth beat Arsenal twice in one season not because of luck but because they were able to exploit their opponents’ weaknesses.

Arteta’s Arsenal still play beautiful, philosophical, and unique football. But top-level football is about more than just beauty – it’s about winning. Arteta’s “one-size-fits-all” mentality is slowly turning Arsenal into a predictable and exploitable team.

Over the past three seasons, Arsenal have repeated the same pattern: promising starts, explosive periods of play, then running out of steam and collapsing at crucial moments. This is no coincidence, but the inevitable consequence of an inflexible coaching style.

Arsenal will soon have a very difficult away trip to PSG in the second leg of the Champions League semi-finals.

Arsenal's Premier League dream is over, and the Champions League awaits a do-or-die encounter in France. But the bigger question is: can Arteta overcome himself to take Arsenal further?

To become a champion, Arteta needs to learn to change – not just in his squad, but in his coaching mindset. He needs to understand that sometimes, it is not the consistency of a philosophy that is the most important quality in a manager – it is the ability to adapt to the realities that are unfolding.

Otherwise, the 2024/25 season will be just another sad copy: an Arsenal that "almost" won but never won the title. And in modern football, "almost" is never enough for a team with the ambition and tradition of Arsenal.

It is time for Arteta to recognize his limitations and change. Because in football as in life, those who do not change will be left behind by time.

Source: https://znews.vn/arsenal-vo-vun-vi-bao-thu-post1550772.html