Arsenal reverted to their struggles of last season when they faced Southampton on Sunday, struggling to find the back of the net on several occasions. That was despite a quick start to the game that could have put them on the path to a thrashing, with Granit Xhaka volleying home an opener just 11 minutes in.
The first half came with more dominance from the visitors, but without that clinical edge to put the hosts away and secure all three points. It meant the Saints always had a way back into the game, which they managed to do in the second half as Stuart Armstrong found space beyond the backline to draw level without a response from the Gunners.
"I think we stopped doing all the simple things right," Mikel Arteta said in review of the game. "The distances on the ball positions were too far, we gave too many simple balls away in very dangerous areas without much pressure, and that didn’t allow us much continuity like we had in the first half.
READ MORE: Arsenal Premier League fixtures before the World Cup compared to Man City, Tottenham and Chelsea
"Then you are more tired because the game becomes more open and there are more transitions, and you are fatigued. I think again we finished the game on top of them and we tried to go for the second goal, but we didn’t find a way to do it."
There have been plenty of questions over the squad depth available to Arteta for the season ahead, especially given the congested fixture schedule. While the Spaniard looked to reinforce his options, he also loaned out some players that would have perhaps been useful for these recent games and the fatigue they've found.
Nicolas Pepe and Folarin Balogun are two particular players that could have been some use, be it in the Southampton game or other clashes along the way. The duo both scored for their respective loan clubs over the weekend, showing their ability to unlock defences too.
While Balogun needed game time to develop, the case of Pepe could be the bigger mistake, given that the side were unable to replace him in the squad. This left Bukayo Saka as the only senior right-wing option available to Arteta, leaving questions over whether he can continue performing to his best ability while playing so often.
In response the manager claimed the top players have to play plenty of games, though given his struggles against Southampton as well as those for the rest of the attacking lineup, perhaps there could be some regret over the summer transfer window and some missed opportunities.
READ NEXT:
Every word Mikel Arteta said on Gabriel Jesus form, referee decisions and Arsenal drop off
Arsenal player ratings vs Southampton as Granit Xhaka superb but Gabriel Jesus struggles
Why Mikel Arteta shouted at Gabriel Martinelli as Arsenal draw with Southampton - Moments missed
Edu's £30m Arsenal solution proven valuable amid Mikel Arteta's key Southampton sticking point
Arsenal news and transfers LIVE: All the latest news, rumours and gossip from the Emirates Stadium
