Don’t panic, it was just one match

There is no reason to panic, Arsenal will be just fine after a disappointing1-1 draw at St. Mary’s Stadium in Southampton on Sunday.

The Gunners are obviously having trouble finding the back of the net, scoring just four goals in their last four matches. However, this is a team sport, so the defense has stepped up to help secure 10 of those last 12 available points. This is a huge difference from recent years, when the defense couldn’t support the offense, and vice versa. Only two goals each from Bukayo Saka and Granit Xhaka have found the scoreboard in the Gunners last four appearances.

Arsenal is creating chances, but the goals just aren’t coming right now. Gabriel Jesus has gone goalless in his last five matches.

Mikel Arteta told Arsenal.com following the Saints match, “We created loads of big chances that we didn’t put away. In the Premier League, unfortunately, if you don’t do that when you are top of the game you can have some difficulties.”

Gabriel Jesus commented, “It feels like we lost the game because of the way we played, the way we created a lot, in the first half more than in the second. In the second we dropped a level again. It was a little bit similar to what happened against Leeds.”

Obviously there was some disappointment in the outcome at Southampton, however, Arsenal still remains on top of the Premier League table.

The October fixture list has been brutal, too, and will continue to be so through the end of this month and into November. There is probably some fatigue setting in, as well, so the boss needs to be careful how he rotates his players.

We have a big game at PSV on Thursday in the Europa League, followed by a home match v league cellar-dwellers Nottingham Forest on Sunday.

With just four league matches remaining until the World Cup break, it is vital for the Gunners to secure as many of the those twelve points as possible so they can go into the long break in a solid position on the Premier League table.

So, there is no reason to panic, it was just one match.

Cheers.

Gunner1953