The Premier League is becoming more and more difficult to win and we have seen especially since the emergence of Manchester City's hold on the league that the tiniest drop in form can spell disaster. And so step up Arsenal. Make no mistake, manager Mikel Arteta is under immense pressure to make that huge step forward this season after once again splashing the cash. It was thought that the club were missing a proper number 9, so in came Viktor Gyokeres. The additional signing of Eberechi Eze has really turned up the stakes for this campaign and the Gunners have spent over £200m. To be clear Arsenal have a fantastic side and so when they drop points or do not play well questions will be asked. Take the mighty game last weekend at home to Manchester City. Arteta seemed to make an obvious error in not starting Bukayo Saka, arguably Arsenal's best player and Eze. Both were benched until the second half and Eze made an impact in setting up what would become Arsenal's equaliser.
Arteta has been criticised as not going for the kill against a City side who have already struggled this season and at home it was thought that Arsenal would offer more. It has been suggested that Arsenal are not creating enough chances for their forwards. It is clear to say that this very talented side are not going to have too many problems against the majority of sides in the league, just look at how they took apart teams such as Leeds and Nottingham Forest scoring 8 goals in those games without reply. But against the stronger teams there have been more problems. In their 3 games against Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United they have registered just 7 shots on target and scored 2 goals, gaining 4 points from 9. This isn't a clear disaster and let's remember Arsenal have had quite a few tough fixtures to begin with but it's little details now. Those little details mean that after 5 games Arsenal are already lagging four points behind Liverpool. As a result the Gunners have drifted out to 3.00 to win the league. The feeling even this early in the campaign is that despite the money spent Arsenal may still end up coming up short and that could spell the end of Arteta's time at the club.
Despite heavy investment over the past few years Chelsea are failing to impress. To be fair to the Blues this is more league based as they are a club who continue to shine in cups just look at how they surprised many by winning this past summer's World Club Cup. But in the league Enzo Maresca's side continue to drop points against teams you would not expect them to and already they are drifting in the league. Now this isn't cause for panic but form means that they have already slipped 7 points behind league leaders Liverpool. The Blues last two games have seen them concede late to Brentford to draw 2-2 and then lose 2-1 against Manchester United. Chelsea will most probably still have a good season and many believe they will finish in the top four, currently they are in sixth place. But considering how much money has gone into the project there should be a hint of disappointment that the club at least in league terms are taking one step forward and two steps back.
Last week we talked about the positive impact that David Moyes has had on Everton since he arrived in January. Absolutely the Toffees have looked like a different side. Any fan would have taken just 5 defeats in that time and the progress has been evident. Even last weekend as Everton yet again lost to Liverpool the game was close and only finished 2-1. Once they had gone two goals behind, Moyes' side came back into the game and played really well, creating chances and defending with a new look maturity, and even swagger behind them. When could that be said away at Anfield in recent memory? However one has to wonder if Moyes did make an error in midweek?
Like most managers Moyes rang the changes and Everton were dumped out of the Carabao Cup by Wolves 2-0. Changes were made of course because Moyes is thinking of the league but Everton have started well in this campaign and they had 6 days until their next match against West Ham. Everton have not won silverware in what will be 31 years and ask yourself a question- had this been a European midweek tie would Moyes have been so quick to make the changes? Everton's current standing means that participation in the Carabao Cup is like playing in the Champions League. Not only do Everton need a trophy but a cup win is also of course a gateway into European football next season. What was the alternative? Trying to navigate 38 games to claim European football in the league, doesn't 6 games make more sense in the cup? Of course Moyes could have rung the changes and still lost to Wolves after all let's not forget they are a Premier League side, they are also currently rock bottom of the league though. A deep cup run would have excited fans and instead Everton are left with only the FA Cup now that doesn't start for Premier League teams until next year in the hope of ending their trophy drought. Granted the Toffees would have had their own struggles in trying to win the Carabao Cup but instead that dream was stopped before it even began.
To win the Carabao Cup: Liverpool at 5.00, Manchester City at 6.00, Arsenal 8.00, Chelsea 9.00, Newcastle 10.00
© Copyright topfootballtipster.com 2019
