If ever a result could sum up Mikel Arteta’s reign as Arsenal boss, it would be the damaging 1-1 draw with Burnley.
Going into the game at Turf Moor, the Gunners would have known the importance of victory, with the teams ahead of them threatening to cut themselves off in the race for European football.
And that urgency was crystal clear amongst the Arsenal players, as they pressed and harried a Burnley team, who themselves are desperate for results.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s opener was richly deserved for their early dominance and looked as if it could set the tone for what would be a comfortable afternoon at the office.
Except it wasn’t. It rarely is for Arsenal under Arteta.
Speaking before the trip to Turf Moor, the Spaniard was asked how close his side are to being a ‘Mikel Arteta team’. “Very far. Very, very far,” he replied.
To make crystal clear just how far they are away from his objective, he outlined six basic aspects of what his players need to improve upon.
“There’s still a lot to improve,” he continued. “A lot of quality to add, much more efficient in decision making, much quicker to open up situations when the advantages are there, many more situations to finish when advantages are obtained, more control of games, more defensive actions in the opponents half, less give aways in our own half, it’s a lot to do, more goals, more creativity, it’s a lot to do.”
And as if by magic, nearly all of Arteta’s observations were on display as Arsenal found a way to turn a position of comfort into a disappointing result.
There were decision making issues with Bukayo Saka opting to go across the keeper rather than trying to go over him. Possession became slow and laboured, with Sean Dyche’s miserly Clarets happy to sit deep and when those advantages were obtained, they were routinely spurned.
The second period saw the Gunners lose their control on the game, with the lack of press enabling Burnley to hoist those trademark long balls into Chris Wood and co.
And as for less giveaways, Granit Xhaka’s clearance hitting Chris Wood and rebounding into the net is likely to be a permanent reminder for their propensity to shoot themselves in the foot.
It is believed Arteta’s main objective for this season was to challenge for the top-four. That now looks unlikely, bordering on impossible, with the Europa League now their most likely route back into the Champions League.
Either way, well over 12 months into his time in the Emirates dugout, being ‘very far away’ from where he wants is a concern.
The predictability of it all means it is as frustrating as it is alarming.
