Mikel Arteta's Granit Xhaka decision creates domino effect that could ruin Arsenal Champions League hopes
Aston Villa 0-4 Tottenham in pictures
Tuchel on facing Real Madrid in the Bernabeu
Luis Suarez and Micah Richards agree on Benfica striker Darwin Nunez amid Arsenal transfer talk
Tuchel says his 'message was clear' to the players
Mikel Arteta quizzed on Arsenal's lack of cutting edge in front of goal
Mikel Arteta on Alexandre Lacazette and Mohamed Elneny's future
Kovacic opens up on 'idolising' Modric when growing up
Kovacic opens up on 'idolising' Modric when growing up
Emmanuel Petit Gives Arsenal William Saliba Warning Over Future
Over the past week it has become painfully clear how precarious Arsenal's good form really was. Between December and April Mikel Arteta managed to find a system that maximised the undoubted potential of his thin squad and deserves credit for that. In the space of a week though it has become evident that this was Goldilocks football. For it to work everything had to be just right .
Among other things the Gunners needed a 'number six' capable of elite press resistance and progressive distribution. They needed a set of full backs capable of finding the perfect balance between supporting the attack and providing defensive cover. They needed a central striker capable of linking play in deeper areas to create space for their wide forwards.
Through long-term injuries for Thomas Partey and Kieran Tierney, and a loss of form for Alexandre Lacazette, Arteta had lost the "specificity" that was by his own admission crucial to play his style of 4-3-3. So having lost the tenuous balance required to guide Arsenal across the tight rope that led to Champions League football, how exactly would the Spaniard cope? On Saturday we found out.
Arsenal loanee keeps Haaland quiet, Nelson stars and three players