Compare the scenes at full-time against Crystal Palace and Brighton and you will notice how quickly the mentality can change when there’s a penny drop moment for supporters. After the Palace defeat, Arsenal fans chanted Mikel Arteta’s name, backing the coach arguably feeling sorry for the performance his players had put in.
However, Arsenal were beaten by Brighton not only due to the player’s poor performances but due to the decision-making of the coach. The line-up was widely criticised and the choice to leave the natural backup left-back Nuno Tavares on the bench to shoehorn Granit Xhaka into left-back left fans baffled.
At full-time, it was not chanting but booing. Arteta’s poor choices have cost him more than just three points, it could cost him support. Thomas Partey and Kieran Tierney’s injuries were already huge blows to the side, but this third factor threatens to derail the season.
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Mikel Arteta spoke at full-time about the atmosphere. He described it as ‘cold’ and should it continue, it will be effectively an extra man lost when playing at the Emirates.
“The first half was really poor again. The reaction that we wanted to show and everything that we talked about, we didn’t make it happen on the pitch. We were sloppy with the ball, we were second best again in a lot of situations, we didn’t show any purpose or build any momentum in the game, play with the right speed and transform the game that Brighton proposed today and with the first chance that they had, the only chance I think they had, they scored a goal and, again, we created a cold atmosphere, an atmosphere we weren’t comfortable with and when we tried to change it, it was too late. It was great not to give up, but it was too late,” he explained.
When pressed on what he meant by a ‘cold’ atmosphere he replied, “That we can create it, because the fans were here and again were exceptional, and see the moment we gave them something what we tried, and we played a game that you could not see the purpose, the intention of the team, what we were trying to do. We have to give them something, and we didn’t give them anything in the first half and this is down to us.”
Arsenal have now 8 games between now and the end of the season. Only three are at home but crucially they play Manchester United, Leeds United and Everton.
These three fixtures must be all victories to hope for Europa League football, let alone Champions League. The away support is simply the best in the league, and the commitment of those travelling fans cannot be questioned.
The games against Southampton, Chelsea, West Ham, Tottenham and Newcastle will get the full backing of those supporters. Yet, the Emirates fortress environment that had built up through a series of mighty performances brimming with the mentality which the team has needed might struggle to resuscitate itself.
What will be crucial is a result on the south coast this Saturday against the Saints. Southampton is a tricky place to go but their 6-0 defeat to Chelsea shows their vulnerabilities. Mikel Arteta must get the supporters back on side and fast.
