Premier League title hopefuls Arsenal facing ‘deep block problem’

While the Gunners remained top of the Premier League table, the past two weeks have given some cause for concern as Arsenal have struggled to break down a resilient deep block two games in a row, costing them crucial points in the title race. 

Is it just coincidence? Have teams figured Arsenal out? What should Mikel Arteta do?

Those two games in question have seen Arsenal lacking in fluidity, struggling to move the ball quickly into the front line and create fluid attacks which the likes of Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka have thrived off all season.

Instead, slower balls into the front line have allowed defences to double up on the Arsenal wingers.

Arsenal aren’t a particularly great crossing team and when forced wide, often default to finding players on the edge of the box who in recent games have been firing wild long shots into the crowd and squandering attacks. 

In this instance, Arsenal should stick to their original game plan, being patient and probing to find an opening. The Gunners thrive off of sustained pressure, and firing an aimless, frustrated long shot wide is a cheap way of losing that pressure.

In games where Arsenal are struggling with this issue, Arteta should explore new ways to fill the box to make crossing a better option. Whether it be moving Martinelli centrally alongside or in place of Eddie Nketiah for his aerial threat or playing Leandro Trossard through the middle to replicate Gabriel Jesus’ fluid movement, dropping off the defensive line and creating chaos.

It is also time for Arteta to try a more attacking option in midfield, replacing Granit Xhaka in these situations with Fabio Vieira, or even Trossard with a shift in shape.

Xhaka has been excellent this season as a two-way player, but in certain moments against teams who defend deep, an extra burst of creativity is surely worth a go.

After their midweek showdown with title rivals Manchester City, Arsenal will face the deep block conundrum several more times during the run-in – starting at Unai Emery’s Aston Villa on Saturday – and Arteta needs to find a more reliable solution.