Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville, in a recent NBC Sports broadcast, criticized Arsenal's performance in the current Premier League season. The Gunners' struggle was evident in their 1-1 draw against Brentford at home, which allowed Liverpool to edge closer to the league title. Neville noted Arsenal's regression this season, attributing it to factors like injuries to key players and a lack of squad depth, along with the departure of sporting director Edu.
Neville specifically highlighted captain Martin Odegaard's underwhelming performances, describing it as a "big drop-off" throughout the season. Arsenal faced challenges on the injury front, with notable players like Odegaard, Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz, and Gabriel Jesus missing substantial playing time. These absences disrupted the team's attacking rhythm, resulting in a significant decrease in goal-scoring efficiency compared to the previous season.
The Gunners, who scored 91 goals in the previous Premier League campaign, have struggled to replicate that form this season, managing only 57 goals in 32 matches. This decline underscores the team's difficulties in maintaining continuity in the forward line and coping with the absence of key players. Arsenal's performance has been scrutinized as they aim to address their shortcomings and improve their standing in the league.