Delaney: Arsenal’s Creativity Issues Deepen as Edu Departs | OneFootball

Arsenal’s Crisis Runs Deeper than Injuries: Edu’s Exit and Arteta’s Tactical Struggles

Arsenal’s disappointing loss to Inter Milan in the Champions League has revealed cracks beyond their ongoing injury woes. It’s clear the issues run deeper, and the recent departure of sporting director Edu couldn’t have come at a worse time. As Miguel Delaney highlights in his insightful analysis for the Independent, there’s an unsettling sense that Arsenal’s struggles aren’t just temporary. For Mikel Arteta and his squad, this season could define more than just their success on the pitch.

Tactical Limitations Exposed in Repeated Crosses

Arsenal’s offensive issues became glaringly evident during their match against Inter, where the team attempted a staggering 46 crosses, to little effect. While not quite on par with David Moyes’ infamous 81 crosses for Manchester United against Fulham in 2014, it’s a clear sign of a team lacking ideas. “Arsenal tried that 46 times against Inter on Wednesday,” Delaney observed, pointing to a pattern that needs urgent addressing.

This repeated play style is symptomatic of a wider creative drought, especially in the absence of their midfield maestro, Martin Odegaard. Without his vision, Arsenal’s attack often feels mechanical, a far cry from the fluidity they once boasted. Leandro Trossard, for example, struggled to replicate Odegaard’s creativity against Newcastle United, resulting in missed opportunities that proved costly. This highlights Arsenal’s current over-reliance on specific players and raises questions about the team’s adaptability when key individuals are unavailable.

Photo IMAGO

Physicality over Creativity: A Recruitment Strategy Under Scrutiny

One of the more contentious aspects of Arteta’s tenure has been his focus on physicality in recruitment. Declan Rice, Riccardo Calafiori, and Mikel Merino are all tall, imposing players, shifting Arsenal towards a bulkier, set-piece-oriented approach. While this has improved their resilience against more physical teams, it has also impacted their creativity, especially with Odegaard sidelined.

“Arsenal have become one of the biggest teams in the league, with a greater focus on set-pieces,” Delaney notes, yet this focus has arguably come at the expense of the team’s attacking fluidity. Although Ethan Nwaneri, a 17-year-old academy product, is seen as the future of Arsenal’s creativity, the team is missing a player who can step up immediately. The unintended result is a team that seems caught between two identities – physical dominance and creative ingenuity – with neither fully realised.

Recruitment and Edu’s Exit at a Critical Juncture

Edu’s unexpected departure leaves a substantial void in Arsenal’s strategic planning. His exit raises questions about whether Arsenal can maintain momentum in the transfer market. Arsenal’s summer attempt to secure a quality striker ended in compromise, leaving them without an additional goal-scoring option. The reliance on Gabriel Martinelli and Trossard has intensified, both of whom are now experiencing dips in form.

“Arsenal are getting to the point where they eventually have to seize the day,” Delaney writes, suggesting the time for patience is over. With a young squad full of potential but lacking immediate solutions, Arsenal can ill afford further setbacks in recruitment. The window for potential reinforcements in the next transfer market will be critical, especially as rivals like Manchester City and Liverpool, now managed by Arne Slot, remain competitive.

Psychological Impact and Need for Resilience

The team’s current struggles are not limited to tactics or injuries – they are now impacting Arsenal’s psyche. As Delaney points out, recent borderline refereeing decisions, including two contentious penalty calls against Inter, have contributed to a growing sense of misfortune among the players. When incidents like these start to shape the narrative within the dressing room, it can lead to a siege mentality.

“The Gunners have received three red cards in the Premier League this season,” Delaney highlights, symbolising an emotional undercurrent that’s fuelling Arsenal’s frustration. This attitude risks tipping into a counterproductive mindset if not addressed. Arteta, who typically avoids these debates, now finds himself needing to steer his team away from what could become a defeatist mentality.

As Arsenal head into a crucial fixture against Chelsea, there’s an opportunity for a much-needed morale boost. Although not necessarily a “must-win” in terms of the season’s outcome, a victory would be invaluable for the team’s collective confidence. Arsenal’s last win at Stamford Bridge may feel distant, but this could be their best chance to break the cycle of recent frustrations.

Photo: IMAGO

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

As an Arsenal supporter, it’s frustrating to see our team so close to breaking through, only to be held back by these recurring issues. Injuries are part of the game, and any good team should be able to adapt, but Arsenal seem too reliant on specific players like Odegaard. It’s a real concern that without him, the team reverts to repetitive crossing and lacks creativity. It feels like Arteta’s recruitment focus on physicality has overshadowed our traditional flair. Arsenal fans have long cherished skill and creativity over brute strength, and this current direction risks losing that identity.

Edu’s departure only amplifies these worries. If Arsenal are going to achieve sustained success, the recruitment and development of young talent, like Nwaneri, need long-term vision. But without someone like Edu to guide these decisions, it feels like we’re going in blind. The fanbase had so much hope for this season – Saka’s declaration that “this is the year” gave us belief. Yet now, the team’s frustrations are palpable, and the players look weighed down by it.

It’s not too late to turn things around, but Arsenal must adapt and rediscover the creative edge that once defined us. That starts with Arteta, and it starts this Sunday at Stamford Bridge.