Analysing Arsenal's Worst Performance Of The Season

Second Half

Immediately after half time Giroud had the chance to equalise from a brilliant lay-off by Sánchez. More than 90% of Giroud's goals have come by hitting them with his strong left foot (34 out of 37) - excluding his headers (13 out of 50) - and that is an area for improvement for Olivier. At his age it will be even harder to do but it is worth a try.

Giroud also did not score with his head after a perfect delivery by Cazorla's free kick in the 52^nd minute. Usually he is a pretty clinical finisher on headers.

Giroud had another chance (57th) from a rebound. The shot with his weak foot went over and that was to be the end of his miserable display as he was taken off. 

My conclusion of his overall performance is that he did not make his five great chances count. On two times he should have scored but he should not shoulder the blame alone as others did not score as well. Giroud's passing wasn't good enough either and the overall tactical failure took its toll.

A bad day for Mertesacker

By looking at the screenshot you maybe think that Mertesacker hadn't run back to his normal position but you'd be wrong. In between Arsenal got awarded a free kick and Mertesacker was at the backline where he has to be. Afterwards he moved bizarrely to the right side of the pitch and also passed the halfway by about 11 yards. What was he thinking?

We don't play total football, do we? Ajax and Barcelona do it, but when have you seen Arsenal players changing positions to restock the slot at the back-four when a player had been moving forward?

Koscielny had no chance to play offside because the pass to Martial had been played when he hadn't crossed the halfway line.