MX23RW : Sunday, December 15 03:41:14| >> :120:13264:13264:

Two games into the new season and Arsenal's problems are already mounting

Two games into the new season and Arsenal's problems are already mounting
© Reuters
The Gunners have lost their opening two matches and have players missing through injury and illness.

Just two games into the new Premier League season and there are already mounting issues at Arsenal.

The Gunners have lost to both Brentford and Chelsea without scoring a goal and have a number of players missing through injury and illness.

Here, the PA news agency looks at areas of concern but also reasons to be more cheerful for Arsenal fans.

Just how bad has it been?

Arsenal have lost both of their opening Premier League games of the new season.
Arsenal have lost both of their opening Premier League games of the new season. (Nick Potts/PA)

This has been the worst start to any of Arsenal's 118 seasons playing in the top four leagues in England.

Two 2-0 defeats have already led to unrest at the Emirates Stadium, with #ArtetaOut still trending the morning after Chelsea left north London with all three points.

Arsenal have now lost 20 of the 60 Premier League games since Arteta's appointment, with a trip to reigning champions Manchester City up next.

Are there any excuses?

Ben White was the latest Arsenal player to test positive for Covid.
Ben White was the latest Arsenal player to test positive for Covid. (John Walton/PA)

To be fair to Arteta, his plans for the opening two games were thrown into disarray following a number of positive Covid tests.
He was without Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Alexandre Lacazette, Willian and Alex Runarsson at Brentford, with only the former fit enough for the bench against Chelsea.
£50million summer signing Ben White was then struck down with Covid on the eve of the Blues clash, while Eddie Nketiah, Gabriel Magalhaes and Thomas Partey are all out injured.

But they've spent so much money...

Arsenal are currently the highest-spending Premier League side this summer after bringing in a number of new recruits.
A lack of European football has not stopped the Gunners bringing in White, as well as Albert Sambi Lokonga, Nuno Tavares, Martin Odegaard and Aaron Ramsdale.
Lokonga was the only fresh face to start against Chelsea but Arteta will be hoping a number of his new signings can improve performance and results moving forward.

Could it get worse before it gets better?

Pep Guardiola's Manchester City are next up for Arteta, who used to work as an assistant to his compatriot.
Pep Guardiola's Manchester City are next up for Arteta, who used to work as an assistant to his compatriot. (Carl Recine/PA)

Yes.
A second-round Carabao Cup tie away to West Brom is likely a chance for Arteta to rotate his team, with fringe players such as Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Mohamed Elneny and Reiss Nelson vying for starts.
But after that it is an away game at Manchester City, where Arsenal have lost on their previous five visits.
After the international break they face Norwich, Burnley and Brighton with a north London derby at home to Tottenham in among that favourable run.

Will Arteta get sacked?

Arteta has lost 20 of his 60 Premier League games as Arsenal boss.
Arteta has lost 20 of his 60 Premier League games as Arsenal boss. (Glyn Kirk/PA)

Arsenal went through a miserable run before Christmas last year and the hierarchy backed Arteta publicly and privately.
He has also been part of the technical team identifying the players to come in over the course of the summer as he is trusted to lead the rebuild.
However, if results fail to improve and performance levels do not increase the Spaniard will be under no illusion that his position could become untenable.

ID:460531:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect16180:
Written by
P A
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Tottenham Hotspur's Harry Kane pictured on August 22, 2021
Read Next:
Nuno Espirito Santo hails 'amazing' Spurs fans following Harry Kane reception
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
Read more about Arsenal Football
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
6pm
Chiefs
@
Browns
6pm
Ravens
@
Giants
6pm
Jets
@
Jags
6pm
Cowboys
@
Panthers
6pm
Washington
@
Saints
6pm
Dolphins
@
Texans
6pm
Bengals
@
Titans
9.25pm
Colts
@
Broncos
9.25pm
Patriots
@
Cardinals
9.25pm
Buccaneers
@
Chargers
9.25pm
Steelers
@
Eagles
9.25pm
Bills
@
Lions
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool15113131131836
2Chelsea1594235181731
3Arsenal1686229151430
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest168442119228
5Manchester CityMan City158342721627
6Aston Villa167452425-125
7Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton156632522324
8Bournemouth157352320324
9Fulham166642422224
10Brentford157263128323
11Newcastle UnitedNewcastle166552321223
12Tottenham HotspurSpurs1562731191220
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd155461918119
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham155372028-818
15Everton153661421-715
16Leicester CityLeicester163582134-1314
17Crystal Palace152761420-613
18Ipswich TownIpswich162681628-1212
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1623112440-169
20Southampton1512121131-205


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!