Was Evra right about Arsenal?

The defeat against Bournemouth once again raises a big question: Are Arsenal truly ready to overcome the "curse of next season"?

Are Arsenal truly ready to overcome the "next season curse"?

“Watching Arsenal is like watching Netflix; you always look forward to the next season, and believe me, every season is like that…” Patrice Evra’s comment was once considered overly sarcastic. But after the 1-2 defeat against Bournemouth in the 32nd round of the Premier League on April 11th, it resonated again as a warning.

Arsenal didn't lose in a crushing defeat. They lost in the most disappointing way: playing well enough to keep hopes alive, but lacking the sharpness to finish the game. A scenario that has repeated itself far too many times throughout this team's history.

When the game slips out of your hands

Arsenal's first half still showed the characteristics of a title contender. They controlled the tempo, maintained their formation, and knew how to capitalize on set pieces.

The equalizer came from a penalty kick, following a familiar corner kick setup. Viktor Gyökeres stepped up, took the penalty, and coolly finished. It was a moment of composure.

But football isn't decided in 45 minutes.

In the second half, Arsenal lost their cohesion. Mikel Arteta's decision to make three substitutions at once in the 54th minute proved to be the turning point.

It wasn't because the players who came on were of poor quality, but because the connection between them was broken. The pace of the game slowed down. The plays became disjointed.

Arsenal didn't lose in a crushing defeat. They lost in the most disappointing way: they played well enough to keep their hopes alive, but lacked the sharpness to finish the game.

Bournemouth didn't need to do anything special. They maintained their structure, were patient, and waited for Arsenal to make mistakes. When the opportunity arose, they punished them immediately. Alex Scott's goal was the result of a coherent piece of teamwork, something Arsenal failed to produce in the second half.

The numbers clearly reveal the problem. Arsenal generated 1.44 xG from set pieces, higher than their opponents' total xG of 1.2. But from open play, they only achieved 0.19 xG, an alarming figure at home. This shows they rely too heavily on set pieces, while lacking ideas when the game opens up.

Opportunities were not absent. Gyökeres once put the ball into the net but it was disallowed for offside. Later, he missed another clear chance when the opposing goalkeeper made a mistake. Moments like these are the line between challenger and champion.

More worryingly, in the final minutes, Arsenal had to push center-back Gabriel forward to act as an attacking threat. When a center-back becomes the primary option, it's no longer a tactical move, but a deadlock.

It's still the same old story about "next season".

This defeat hasn't cost Arsenal the top spot. The nine-point lead remains. But in the race against Manchester City, that advantage is more precarious than it seems.

The issue wasn't about the score, but about the reaction under pressure. Arsenal didn't completely collapse, but they also lacked the composure to weather the crucial moment. They were stuck in a middle ground: good enough to compete, but not strong enough to finish.

That's what makes Evra's comment so thought-provoking. Arsenal always gives off a "wait until next season" vibe. They build hope, then let it slip away at a crucial moment.

Arsenal will face pressure they haven't overcome in years.

The defeat against Bournemouth is a prime example. Arsenal weren't overwhelmed. They didn't lack chances either. But they lacked the most important thing: the ability to control the game when things got chaotic.

This could be called a "Schrödinger" type of Arsenal: both alive and dead, depending on the moment. When the ball is out of play, they are dangerous. When the game opens up, they lose their way.

The race is still on. But if Manchester City – with two games in hand – maintain their winning streak, the nine-point gap will quickly be closed. Then, Arsenal will face pressure they haven't overcome in years.

To win the championship, you need more than just structure or spirit. You need composure in crucial moments. Arsenal, so far, have yet to prove that.

And so the question is no longer whether they are good enough. Rather, it's: Is Evra right?

Highlights Arsenal 1-2 Bournemouth: On the evening of April 11th, Arsenal unexpectedly lost to Bournemouth 1-2 at the Emirates Stadium in the 32nd round of the Premier League.

Source: https://znews.vn/evra-noi-dung-ve-arsenal-post1642876.html