Emmanuel Eboue Explains What is Behind Arsenal’s Near Title Misses - ‘Arteta is Not the Problem’

Former Arsenal defender Emmanuel Eboue has weighed in on the Gunners’ near title misses in recent seasons, explaining that it is down to a number of factors.

Arsenal have finished second in each of the last three seasons and there are fears that it could be four straight even this term as they are in a neck-and-neck race with Manchester City for the title.

The Gunners currently lead the standings with 73 points from 34 games, three ahead of City, who have a game in hand and can go top on goal difference, if they win that match.

That has raised fresh fears that Arsenal could bottle the title again given they have been squandering big leads in the title race in each of the last four seasons.

Eboue, who was also involved in a number of title misses with Arsenal during his seven-year spell at the club, feels the problems are not tactical but down to a lack of leaders plus the depth of Mikel Arteta’s squad.

“When I was playing with Patrick Vieira, he was a leader. And then some English players like Ray Parlour, David Seaman. They were big leaders in the team,” Eboue said on the The5thHouse Podcast.

“The new generation…I think the leader is maybe Gabriel, the defender. It is not tactical, I think Arteta is doing well. Since he has been there, Arsenal are always second on the table. The problem is not Arteta."

Eboue says winning the Premier League now has become even more difficult due to the increased quality of all teams where lower table sides easily beat the big boys unlike when he was playing.

“It is difficult to win now because every team wants to win even those down [on the table]. They are giving 100 per cent to win or draw and that is very difficult,” he added, further pointing to the lack of depth within the Arsenal squad as another contributing factor.

“Arsenal are young and not a big squad. Every time you play in England, the season is too long because you have the cups, league and Champions League and you use the same players. At the end, they get tired,” Eboue further observed.

“You see [Jurien] Timber when he came, he was doing well, playing every game but now he is tired. Manchester City, look at their squad, they have quality players even on the bench but Arsenal’s bench has young players.”

It remains to be seen if Arsenal will bottle it again or will find form to get over the line this time and end their 22-year wait for a Premier League crown.