Arsenal continue to lack coolness: The Gunners also lost their first game in 2024, partly due to their lack of chances. The English press criticized Kai Havertz as a symbol of this
The home fans at the Emirates Stadium often had the goal on their lips on Sunday evening, especially in the first half. But the intermittent increases in volume never resulted in an Arsenal goal celebration, as the Gunners miserably wasted their opportunities in the FA Cup against Liverpool (0:2).
Kai Havertz, who started in the center of the attack due to Gabriel Jesus’ knee injury, was emblematic of the poor chance conversion. “Shy Havertz sums up Arsenal’s attacking weakness,” was the headline in the English newspaper The Guardian. Havertz missed his best opportunities shortly before the break: first he headed over a Bukayo Saka corner kick and then, after winning the ball high up the pitch, he didn’t act with any real determination and was therefore only able to finish from a poorer position
The issue is not new territory in north London, however, but has been a recurring theme in recent games: After Christmas, only one out of 63 shots found its way into the goal. As a result, the Gunners have conceded three defeats in a row – despite having a higher expected goals value than their opponents. “It’s frustrating, but what can we do? I can’t tell them: play badly, don’t score, Liverpool will score an own goal and we’ll win the game,” explained Mikel Arteta at the press conference.
When the Spaniard gave the reason for the lack of finishing, he pointed his finger at his head. “We’ll probably have to change things up here,” said Arteta.
While the coach identified a mental block as the cause, Gunners supporters called for the signing of a striker. “I ask the fans to get behind the team, which they have done in difficult moments. Stick with the ones we have – they are unbelievably good. If not, they won’t do what they did again today, at Anfield and here,” appealed the 41-year-old.
At least the Londoners now have some time to work on their weaknesses. Because “only” on January 20 will Arsenal be challenged again in the league against Crystal Palace. Then perhaps with the regular attacker Gabriel Jesus again, with whom Arteta took no risks on Sunday
