Former Arsenal star Perry Groves believes that the Gunners have entered a period of mediocrity at the Emirates, amid opening day defeat at Brentford.
Mikel Arteta’s side looked lacklustre on Friday evening as the newly promoted Bees handed Arsenal a 2-0 loss in game one of the new Premier League season.
Arsenal have been active in the transfer market so far this summer, bringing in three new faces in Nuno Tavares, Albert Sambi Lokonga and Ben White, but fans aren’t convinced the club have done enough to help improve the side.
And judging by the dismal display against Brentford, that argument is perhaps more than justified, but what’s more concerning – at least from Groves’ point of view – is that Arsenal have entered a period of averageness, and they don’t look like escaping it any time soon.
Speaking on talkSPORT, the ex-Gunners man said: “The thing that worries me is it seems that the mediocrity seems to be like a virus that spreads very quickly because Ben White looked very poor on Friday.
“Arsenal at the moment are a mediocre team that have some very, very good players, some excellent players.
“It’s worrying times.”
Groves continued by saying that the atmosphere at the Emirates could turn toxic next Sunday if Arteta’s team fail to put in a good performance against Chelsea, something that will only add more pressure on both the manager and players.
“Imagine the first full crowd back at the Emirates and Chelsea score after the 10-15 minutes. I know the fans are excited to go back but that’s not going to be pretty.”
