On Saturday night, Arsenal’s bid to retain their title hopes hit a frustrating bump as they surrendered a two-goal advantage against Aston Villa.

The Gunners were left reeling after a late comeback from Villa, leading to a 2-2 draw that left fans and manager Mikel Arteta equally exasperated.

As the final whistle blew, Arteta crouched down on the touchline, hand pressed to his forehead, clearly overwhelmed by yet another squandered opportunity.

A Pattern of Dropped Points From Winning Positions

This latest setback only adds to a growing issue for Arsenal this season: their tendency to drop points from winning positions.

In fact, the Gunners have now dropped 12 points this way, their worst tally since the 2019-2020 season.

To put that in perspective, title-chasing rivals like Liverpool and Manchester City have dropped far fewer points in similar situations.

For a team hoping to challenge for the title, this pattern is concerning, especially when opponents sense an opening to claw their way back into the game.

Aston Villa’s dramatic comeback is a perfect example.

After Youri Tielemans’ header in the 60th minute, the visitors’ confidence surged.

Villa could have taken the lead moments later when Tielemans hit the post, but Ollie Watkins pounced shortly afterward to score the equalizer.

Arsenal’s inability to close out the game once again raised alarm bells about their fragility under pressure.

Injury Concerns Add to Arsenal’s Woes

The lack of consistency in Arsenal’s defensive setup also continues to be a major issue.

For the 11th time this season, Arteta was forced to make changes to his back four.

Jurrien Timber was introduced in place of the injured William Saliba, who has been sorely missed in recent weeks.

Saliba’s leadership at the back has been pivotal for Arsenal, and his absence has been felt in crucial moments.

Without him, Arsenal’s defense has often looked vulnerable, as seen in their previous matches against Liverpool and Bournemouth, where they also failed to secure victories.

Attack Lacking Depth, Arsenal’s Bench Comes Up Short

While defensive woes are a key concern, Arsenal’s attack is also showing signs of strain.

Despite scoring twice in the first hour against Villa, they failed to convert further chances.

Mikel Merino’s effort was denied after hitting Kai Havertz’s arm, and Leandro Trossard missed a crucial opportunity in injury time.

Arsenal’s lack of squad depth in attacking areas was evident on the bench, where Arteta had limited options.

Meanwhile, Villa had an array of attacking talent to bring on, including Jhon Duran, Leon Bailey, and Donyell Malen, who all could have made an impact.

The disparity in depth was also apparent in the earlier match between Liverpool and Brentford, where Liverpool managed to snatch a late victory with contributions from their substitutes, including Darwin Nunez.

Arteta couldn’t help but comment on the difference in squad strength, hinting at the need for reinforcements in January.

Arteta’s Call for Urgent Signings and Tactical Improvement

After the match, Arteta acknowledged that Liverpool’s successful substitutes had made a significant impact, while his own team failed to turn the tide after Villa’s equalizer.

The Arsenal manager’s remarks seemed to be a subtle nudge to the club’s owners, urging them to invest in the squad during the January transfer window.

While a new striker is undoubtedly a priority, Arteta also knows that Arsenal’s bigger issue lies in their ability to hold onto leads, a problem that can’t be solved by simply adding more attacking firepower.

As Arsenal look to keep their title hopes alive, both the defense and the attack need urgent attention if they’re to avoid more costly slip-ups.