Arsenal: Supporters are nervy but Arteta looking to use ‘vitamin’ for tension

Supporters have good reason to be anxious heading into the final part of the title race after three successive second-place finishes and a 22-year wait for a top-flight title.

It is strange for a side top of the table by six points to be having questions asked about why things are not going well, but that is because of how results and performances have dipped in recent weeks.

Arsenal under Arteta play with control, and use that to grind teams down as they pin them back into their own half.

But when a team resists that, it can lead to nervy performances and questions about the style of play.

Arsenal‘s squad is packed with talent, and supporters can be frustrated that those in forward areas do not seem to be able to express themselves.

Arteta is playing this way as it gives Arsenal the best chance of becoming winners, and if they do that then few will question his methods.

He brushed off recent boos saying fan frustration “comes from the right place”.

“I think the fans’ patience for it is not limitless,” football journalist Rory Smith told BBC Radio 5 Live’s Monday Night Club.

“They are not an especially beautiful team and that does not matter. If you win the title nobody cares it is justified.

“Most of the fans at the Emirates understand that they have seen much better football than that from Arsenal teams relatively recently and from Mikel Arteta Arsenal teams.

“They have become a very deliberate programmed and formatted team.”

But with Pep Guardiola’s side up next, who if they beat Arsenal could be top the next time Arsenal play at home against Newcastle, Smith thinks Arteta will have to change next season if the Gunners do not get over the line during this campaign.

“You can win and bore fans, but if you’re going to bore the fans then you have to win, that’s kind of the deal.”