“He completed JUST ONLY 8 PASSES throughout the game, he can never even play for Fulham”- Fulham manager Marco Silva mocked Arsenal’s ‘anonymous’ flop who completed only 8 passes and had a 4/10 rating against Fulham this evening

“He completed JUST ONLY 8 PASSES throughout the game, he can never even play for Fulham”- Fulham manager Marco Silva mocked Arsenal’s ‘anonymous’ flop who completed only 8 passes and had a 4/10 rating against Fulham this evening

Arsenal’s quest for another Premier League title suffered a significant setback in a dismal 2-1 defeat against Fulham, marking a challenging period for the Gunners in the latter part of 2023. With only one win in their last five games, Arsenal finds themselves in a precarious position under the management of Mikel Arteta.

The defeat to West Ham, while unfortunate, highlighted Arsenal’s struggles in both boxes. Despite an astonishing 77 touches in the opposition’s penalty area, they failed to find the net, setting an unwanted record in the process. The recent loss to Fulham, however, was different – a performance widely regarded as one of the worst under Arteta’s reign.

Now tied on points with Manchester City, Arsenal faces an uphill battle for a top-four finish, let alone challenging for the title. Eddie Nketiah, one of the players in the spotlight, failed to rise to the occasion at Craven Cottage.

The English forward had a golden opportunity to impress Arteta, especially considering his earlier hat-trick against Sheffield United. However, Nketiah’s struggles away from home became glaring, with a year passing since his last away goal in the top flight. Despite being a proficient finisher and poacher, he lacked the tools to break down a low defensive block and contributed minimally in the build-up phase.

Against Fulham, Nketiah’s performance was described as “utterly anonymous.” His match rating of 4/10, as per the Standard, reflected a torrid afternoon. With a mere 24 touches, six fewer than the goalkeeper David Raya, and only eight accurate passes in 90 minutes, Nketiah failed to make a meaningful impact. His solitary notable chance, firing wide from a tight angle in the first half, summed up a lackluster display.

While a January departure for Nketiah would be surprising, Arsenal faces the pressing need for an upgrade if they aspire to challenge Manchester City in the title race. The call for a more natural goalscorer extends beyond Nketiah to Gabriel Jesus, who has struggled to find consistency.

As Arsenal navigates the complexities of the Premier League, questions about Nketiah’s future loom large. To secure a genuine title challenge next May, the Gunners must seriously consider reinforcements in their attacking lineup, addressing not only Nketiah’s limitations but also seeking a more prolific striker than Jesus. The upcoming transfer window may hold the key to reshaping Arsenal’s aspirations and elevating their offensive prowess.