Arsenal have lost their attacking identity highlighted by Gyokeres' frustration with Zubimendi

Viktor Gyokeres was spotted, frustratedly complaining to Martin Zubimendi, in what perfectly illustrates the loss of Arsenal's attacking identity

There are few words I could realistically type to emphasise the purest sense of disappointment and frustration that flooded through the veins of Arsenal supporters inside the Emirates Stadium at full-time following their defeat to Bournemouth. Mikel Arteta had asked his team to bring their lunch and their dinner, but his side served them absolutely nothing.

The second lowest open play xG of the season, 0.17. This team has lost it's attacking identity and granted we can put that down to Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard being missing, two huge players along with Eberechi Eze from the start, but then it is on Mikel Arteta finding the solution.

So far, he has no answer. Bringing on Eze, Max Dowman and Leandro Trossard didn’t change what was the big problem.

Because when I talk about attacking identity that is not just about the forward players, it is a holistic thing which leans on the defence and midfield to building the ball forward. When Arteta changed Kai Havertz, Noni Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli, nothing changed.

The reason being? That is not where the root cause was.

David Raya escaped a couple of kamikaze moments, Ben White continues to make bad decisions, Myles Lewis-Skelly while encouraging in moments again lacked the level needed and both William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes, as well as Raya, continued to go long with very little in the way of a solution.

That isn’t Arsenal. That is not the principles which have seen this Arsenal team take a nine-point lead over their rivals midway through April.

The absences definitely explain that, but the spine was there. From Raya, to the back to, to Martin Zubimendi and Declan Rice, with Gyokeres at the tip, who, for me, was the best player. But the core of the team, Zubimendi, looks a complete shadow of the player who began this season.

Christian Norgaard has played around 60 minutes of Premier League football. Now, do not mistake this for saying the Dane should be starting games, his technical level simply is not of a high enough standard, and that’s why he isn’t starting.

Yet, Arteta should have helped to mitigate the amount of football in Zubimendi’s legs more in games they could afford to, and perhaps even others that they couldn’t. The Spaniard’s season looks almost done; it’s difficult to see a way back.

There was even a point where Gyokeres could be seen almost snapping back at Zubimendi after the Spaniard hesitated on playing it through to the Swedish striker. Too cautious, too inaccurate and too tired.

And Rice, who hit the ‘stuff it’ button on a number of occasions, needs to drop into the six role. Without Mikel Merino, though, who plays left eight is a question, and with Eze back, I think it needs to be him, or Lewis-Skelly, but the latter’s technical level has not looked good enough in his last two starts.

Jurrien Timber is a massive miss, he helps Arsenal break out of the press better than anyone available, alongside Riccardo Calafiori who was another miss. Missing so many players to face a Bournemouth side whose players, on the whole, have enjoyed three weeks off was clearly evident.

But the fatigue wasn’t just in the legs for Arsenal; it was in their heads. I think they will rally against Sporting in midweek, reach yet another semi-final, and be one victory away from equalling Arsenal's most wins in a single season across all competitions.

But now the game against Manchester City looms large. I have to assume they will win at Chelsea and the Gunners have given them all the fuel they need to go across London and win.

Then the Etihad… Wow, the Etihad. This is odd, but in some ways Arsenal have removed pressure off them going into that game because expectations could not be lower for them right now.

What are we expecting from the team at this very moment? The answer is extremely little, whereas of Man City we expect them to be motivated, and firing strongly after putting four past Liverpool.

Yet I cannot end what is almost becoming something of a rant without addressing Mikel Arteta. He made a call for the supporters to bring their lunch, their dinner. Which translates to bring your noise, and support.

While there is certainly arguments that not everyone did and speaking to several supporters who were there on the day, many were frustrated with how quickly fans began to turn on the side. The problem is, after such a rallying call, you yourselves have to deliver.

It is a two-way street, but it was anything but that here. Arsenal have brought about what will follow.

The “banter” and the narrative that is being vindicated by this side. The labels of “bottlers” and the bad actors within Arsenal’s own fan base feeling justified too.

The Arsenal players, and the coach now need to stand up and be counted. Six games remain; win them, and the title is yours.