One area of Arsenal’s XI singled out as ‘the problem’ following last-gasp Crystal Palace stalemate

Arsenal’s midfield singled out as problem area after Palace stalemate Arsenal’s midfield singled out as problem area after Palace stalemate

By Conor Laird

Published: October 18, 2021 10:16 pm

Last Updated: October 18, 2021 10:26 pm

One area of Arsenal’s XI singled out as ‘the problem’ following last-gasp Crystal Palace stalemate

Viewers of Arsenal’s meeting with Crystal Palace this evening have taken to social media in their droves, to highlight the club’s midfield as an area of concern.

Laca strikes at the death

Mikel Arteta’s men made their post-international break return to action a short time ago, in the final fixture of the Premier League weekend.

The Gunners headed into proceedings aiming to keep alive a positive recent spell of form, having racked up ten points from an available twelve across the club’s last four outings.

When all was said and done at the Emirates on Monday, though, Arsenal were brought back down to earth, courtesy of a 2nd-straight stalemate.

An altogether underwhelming performance ultimately culminated in the hosts requiring a last-gasp equaliser, to secure a share of the spoils for themselves.

It was Arsenal who opened the game’s scoring early on, when Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang did superbly to slot home from a tight angle at the back post:

Clinical 😰

Guaita did well to save Pepe’s shot but Aubameyang was there to put it away and put #AFC in the lead! 🎯

📺 Watch #ARSCRY live on Sky Sports PL pic.twitter.com/pjvjVQOg6M

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) October 18, 2021

The visiting Palace, though, soon fought back, levelling things up though Christian Benteke.

Then, inside the closing twenty minutes, the clash was turned firmly on its head, as a lightning breakaway resulted in Odsonne Edouard lashing home off the underside of the crossbar:

No stopping that! ☄️

Edouard completes the counter attack with a brilliant strike to put #CPFC in front at the Emirates ⚡

📺 Watch #ARSCRY live on Sky Sports PL pic.twitter.com/aqDkKbB4bc

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) October 18, 2021

But there was still time for some late, late drama…

Amid a concerted spell of injury-time pressure, Ben White’s effort at goal eventually made its way to substitute Alexandre Lacazette, who lashed home from close range, securing a point with the last kick of the game.

Midfield woes

Arsenal, in turn, avoided what would otherwise likely have been deemed as nothing short of a disastrous result.

In truth, though, their performance this evening left A LOT to be desired.

Mikel Arteta’s men looked disjointed from the off, neither particularly threatening in the final third, nor solid on the defensive side of the ball.

And, as outlined above, such struggles have since seen one particular area of the Gunners’ XI singled out as the most glaringly problematic on the back of the full-time whistle at the Emirates.

The area in question? Midfield.

One area of Arsenal’s XI singled out as ‘the problem’ following last-gasp Crystal Palace stalemate

Arsenal’s Ghanaian midfielder Thomas Partey receives treatment for an injury during the pre-season friendly football match between Arsenal and Chelsea at The Emirates Sadium in north London on August 1, 2021 (Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images)

Both of Palace’s goals on Monday night came as a direct result of lapses in the middle of the park, as Thomas Partey and Sambi Lokonga, introduced in the 2nd-half in an attempt to add some stability, took turns conceding possession in dangerous areas.

The pairing of the Ghanaian and Belgian looked completely unbalanced, with the presence of the oft-maligned Granit Xhaka having been sorely missed throughout the 90 minutes.

Further forward, big-money summer addition Martin Odegaard too toiled, failing in his efforts to exert any kind of creative influence on proceedings.

In turn, it should come as little surprise to see social media awash with criticism of Arsenal’s midfield, with just some of the highlights showcased below:

Why do our players always get bullied so easily

The palace midfield are playing exactly how Viera would have played

— Dharmz (@DharmaModi) October 18, 2021

That midfield…..where do we go with it? Got out competed in there all game

— Nick Caprara (@njac200668) October 18, 2021

Palace pressed Partey into turning the ball over for their first goal, and then pressed Sambi into turning the ball over for their second. Our midfield’s been creaking under pressure all game.

— Paul Fischer (@tencents77) October 18, 2021

Our midfield has been a joke but Mike Dean has reffed this game totality differently for the two sides .
Bigger problem is that ESR I’d the only player who regularly helps his teammates

— Matthew Wade💙 (@lomekian) October 18, 2021

Do The Arsenal fans still believe that Xhaka is useless? Come on! I almost shed my eyes today. No communication. No creativity at the midfield. Same predicted moves. Today we were just LUCKY to bag a point at EMIRATES. #ARSCRY

— Eric Wambua (@EricWambuaa) October 18, 2021

Arsenals midfield is to blame for today

— LV 2.0 (@LVniggeroid) October 18, 2021

Arsenal problems moved from the defense to the midfield. #ARSCRY

— Mr. Toheeb (@tourheib) October 18, 2021

Except for Laca and Martinelli everyone else was sub-par! Partey, Lokonga and Odegard were horrendous. It’s like our midfield didn’t exist… 😢

— Senthi… (@senprudent) October 18, 2021

Partey-Odegaard-ESR can never work.

— Dawud Bahwi (@dawudbahwi) October 18, 2021

He’s had 2 shockers at Brighton and today. Still works hard but that’s not what we primarily want him to do. Central midfield, huge problem. Sambi, like the kid, he tries but he’s not ready.

— Noma Mabandla (@Norma_ott) October 18, 2021

Midfield had a disaster today

— ΛM̷🀄️ (@afcayxn) October 18, 2021

Crystal palace plays better football and retains better ball also seems to have a more integrated midfield than us.

I don’t know what is the problem. But it needs to change soon.

— Kissor🔥🔱 (@Kis_ManUTD) October 18, 2021