Arsenal’s defensive woes continue as they drop points in third straight Premier League match

Arsenal’s recent run of results has been a cause for concern for the team and its supporters alike. Despite being at the top of the Premier League table for much of the season, they have now dropped points in their last three matches, drawing 2-2 with Liverpool, West Ham, and now Southampton. This has allowed Manchester City, who have two games in hand, to close the gap to just five points.

In all three of these matches, Arsenal have taken a two-goal lead but have failed to hold on for the win. Against Liverpool, they were pegged back by a Mohamed Salah brace, while West Ham’s comeback was led by a Michail Antonio double. In the Southampton match, Carlos Alcaraz and former Gunner Theo Walcott scored early goals to put the visitors in control, before Gabriel Martinelli and Martin Odegaard pulled Arsenal back into the game. However, Duje Caleta-Car’s goal in the 68th minute seemed to have sealed the win for the away side, before Bukayo Saka scored a last-gasp equalizer to salvage a point.

Defensive fragility the reason for Arsenal’s woes

One of the main issues for Arsenal has been their defensive fragility. In all three of these matches, they have conceded at least two goals, and have struggled to cope with the opposition’s attacking threat. Against Liverpool, they were undone by some poor defending from a corner, while West Ham’s goals came from an unmarked Antonio and a weak back-pass from Alexandre Lacazette. Against Southampton, Aaron Ramsdale’s early mistake gave Alcaraz a gift of a goal, while Walcott was allowed to run in behind Gabriel Magalhaes to double the visitors’ lead.

While the likes of Saka, Odegaard, and Martinelli have provided plenty of attacking flair, Arsenal’s defensive frailties have proved to be their Achilles heel in recent matches. With crucial games against Manchester City and Chelsea coming up, they will need to tighten up at the back if they are to maintain their position at the top of the table.

However, there is still plenty of hope for the Gunners, as they showed in their stunning comeback against Southampton. They will need to show the same fighting spirit and resilience if they are to end their recent run of draws and return to winning ways.