Three points, but a low performance by Asernal

Greeting Steemit Family

Arsenal’s performance against Wolves was one of those games where the result can easily fool you about the actual display. Yes, all that matters in the end is a win and the three points, but watching this match left me feeling more frustrated and concerned than relieved. At times, I genuinely questioned whether this is the level of performance required if we truly want to end the season as league winners.

Wolves, a side struggling at the bottom of the table, looked far more comfortable than they should have against an Arsenal team sitting at the top. Arsenal had plenty of possession, yet it rarely felt purposeful. The tempo was slow, the passing predictable, and there was a clear lack of urgency, especially in the first half. For long stretches, it felt like Arsenal were waiting for something to happen instead of forcing the issue and imposing themselves on the game.

What stood out most was the lack of creativity and sharpness in the final third. Arsenal moved the ball from side to side but struggled to break Wolves down or create clear chances through open play. I understand how challenging it can be when playing against a team set up to defend deep, but there was an over-reliance on familiar attacking patterns, particularly down the right side. This time, Wolves made sure those options were well blocked, and once that happened, Arsenal seemed short of ideas. As a result, our attacking play became easy to read, allowing Wolves to stay compact, organized, and confident.

Defensively, Arsenal also looked less secure than usual. Many will point to the series of injuries suffered by the defensive line, including the early setback to Ben White, and that is a fair argument. Still, there were moments of hesitation and poor positioning that invited unnecessary pressure. At some point, Wolves began to believe they could actually get something from the game. Instead of controlling proceedings after taking the lead, Arsenal dropped deeper and allowed Wolves back into the match, eventually conceding a goal in the final minutes. That lack of control is worrying because against stronger opponents, we may not always have the chance or quality to recover and regain the lead.

In my view, this performance highlights a bigger issue than just an off day. It suggests fatigue, complacency, or perhaps growing pressure that is affecting decision-making on the pitch. While grinding out wins is part of being a top team, consistently underperforming against weaker opposition is not a sustainable path to success. Arsenal will take the three points and move on, but if performances like this continue, tougher tests ahead will expose these weaknesses far more brutally.

This is the reason I have not been excited about this win. I am satisfied with the three points, but the performance itself was very poor. It is also worth noting that all three goals in the game were scored by Wolves players. This match should serve as a warning rather than a reassurance.

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