In every Premier League season a ‘draw specialist’ emerges; a team flawed and inspired in equal measure whose twin personalities are reflected in an inability to be ruthless while having enough quality to not be beaten.
Last year that team was Southampton, who drew just shy of one in three times across the campaign and the season before it was the Saints again, a fact that elicits sympathy for the fans having to endure so many stalemates in recent times. In 2017/18 it was 15 in 38 games.
Twelve months earlier Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United matched that number and ultimately it was their many dropped points – or salvaged, depending on your interpretation – that led to a disappointing sixth place finish.
This time out Arsenal seem intent on inheriting the unwanted honour and then some. To date the Gunners have drawn 13 of their 25 league fixtures and should they continue in this vein they will smash a top flight record shared by Newcastle, Aston Villa and Sunderland in 38-game campaigns which stands at 17.
Which brings us to the question as to why this is. Why have Arsenal failed to win on 19 occasions but avoided defeat two times more than fourth-placed Chelsea?
When viewed through a wide lens it does make sense. The protracted end of days for Unai Emery brought struggle, chaos and inconsistency while results have been mixed under Mikel Arteta as the players adapt to his ways. It is telling that five of the seven Premier League games he’s been in charge for have ended in draws which very much suggests a steadying of the ship.
Counterbalancing these negative facets however is the indisputable truth that Arsenal possess a squad that is more than capable of challenging for the top four.
They are awash with elite talent who individually or in tandem can carve out opportunities seemingly on a whim. Only two players in the whole league have scored more goals than Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang this season, while the Gunners rank a surprising fifth for big chances created throughout the division.
Lying somewhere between their circumstances and their lofty status a compromise has so often resided in the form of draws.
As pertinent to this is Arsenal’s defence; a source of much consternation for the Emirates faithful. Sokratis, David Luiz and company have conceded just four less goals than Brighton this season and have generally looked brittle and ill-organised.
Though the fire-power of Aubameyang has compensated, he has not been ably assisted. In mid-January it was revealed the striker had scored 48% of his team’s goals at that juncture.
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That latter stat also lends itself to a mentality issue that translates as a lack of ruthlessness. Against Sheffield United recently the Gunners took the lead prior to half-time but their next shot on target came in the 90th minute and an entire half is an awfully long time to defend an advantage given their frailties at the back. Somewhat inevitably the Blades equalised and the game ended honours even.
Going into this weekend Arsenal have the narrowest goal difference in the top flight having conceded two more than they have converted. They are half good and half bad; a real curate’s egg. Unless they learn to stop sharing the spoils, their season will be spoilt.