“They’ve faltered when the going’s got tough.” Rival Recon Insights Ahead Of Arsenal Match | OneFootball

Arsenal’s Trophyless Season: What Liverpool’s Rise Reveals About Gunners’ Ongoing Struggles

As Liverpool prepare to receive a guard of honour at Anfield this Sunday from a beleaguered Arsenal, the contrast between the two clubs could hardly be starker. On the Rival Recon podcast this week, Hari Sethi and Kaya Kaynak dissected Arsenal’s faltering season and the lessons they might draw from Liverpool’s title-winning consistency.

Big Expectations, Bigger Disappointments

Arsenal fans had hoped this would be their year. “A lot of people thought this would be Arsenal’s chance to go on and win the league,” said Kaya Kaynak, pointing to how close the Gunners pushed Manchester City last season. But while Liverpool surged forward under Arne Slot, Arsenal found themselves once again short of silverware. “You don’t want to be a nearly team forever,” Kaynak said. “And it felt like this was the year.”

Photo: IMAGO

Instead, Arsenal are left reflecting on missed chances and structural failings. “This year felt like the year when Mikel Arteta really had to start winning trophies… and it hasn’t happened,” he added.

Missing Firepower and Misfiring Strategy

Much of Arsenal’s failure comes down to attacking depth and tactical rigidity. “Arsenal have scored one or less goal in something like 17 league games this season,” Kaynak pointed out. Injuries to Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz, and Bukayo Saka exposed a thin frontline. Even new signing Raheem Sterling, brought in on loan late in the window, failed to impress. “He became unusable towards the end… He’s just lost that burst of pace.”

The club’s transfer approach drew criticism too. “They let those four players—Nelson, Nketiah, Vieira, Smith Rowe—go, and the only forward they bought in was Sterling,” Kaynak noted. “That proved to be a pretty catastrophic window.”

Lessons from Liverpool’s Composure

In contrast, Liverpool’s run to the title has been defined by composure, resilience, and experience. “The most impressive thing about Liverpool has been how unflappable they’ve been,” said Kaynak. He linked their calm under pressure to “the knowhow of how to get over the line in the big moments” — something Arsenal still lack.

Photo: IMAGO

Liverpool’s squad, shaped by years of success under Jürgen Klopp, has retained muscle memory of title-winning football. Arsenal’s hasn’t. “Arsenal have given a lot of points away from winning positions this season,” Kaya admitted. “They’ve faltered when the going’s got tough.”

Arteta’s Approach Under Fire

Arteta’s style has also come into question. Once known for attacking flair, Arsenal have shifted toward control and caution. “It felt like Arteta had his team on a video game controller,” Kaynak said, describing the overly rigid tactics in matches like the 1–0 win over Ipswich. “Everything was sort of manufactured.”

He noted how Arteta’s post-match insistence that Arsenal were the best team in the Champions League tie against PSG did little to help his case. “That pressure exists on Arteta… the problems from last season are the exact same this season,” he observed.

What Next for Arsenal?

Looking ahead, Arsenal must invest wisely. “They need forwards like you said… a couple of talented forwards just to increase their threat up front,” Kaynak explained. Midfield depth and defensive cover are also priorities.

Despite mounting frustrations, Kaya doesn’t believe Arteta’s job is under immediate threat. “I don’t think there’s any serious Arteta out sentiment,” he clarified. “He’s clearly an elite coach… who’s going to do a better job right now?”

Final Whistle at Anfield

Sunday’s clash at Anfield is symbolic. Liverpool, champions again, will receive their guard of honour from an Arsenal side still chasing what feels further away than ever. For Kaynak, the fixture is vital: “If Arsenal lose — and lose well — the mood going into summer will be awful.”

Arsenal haven’t won at Anfield since 2012. But to prove they can still compete with the best, this is the time to show it.