This vital stat probably cost Arsenal a top 4 finish this season (See tweet)

This vital stat probably cost Arsenal a top 4 finish this season (See tweet)

By Toju Sote

Leading Premier League stats website @Opta says Arsenal have dropped as many as 21 points from winning postions in the Premier league this season.

Only relegation-threatened West Ham (24) have dropped more points from a similar position.

To put that in context, if Arsenal had stayed on to win these games, that 21 points added to the 50 they currently have would have long cemented their Champions League spot even with three games to go.

Undoubtedly, Arsenal’s squad brims with plenty of talent but they are seriously lacking in character.

Sunday’s loss to Tottenham summed up their play, throwing away the lead with elementary defensive errors and then not defending a set-piece properly proved to be their undoing.

One of the key differences between the great teams and the average teams is the ability to put a game to bed and this stat shows Arsenal are severely lacking the ability to do that.

With this season already won and lost, it is incumbent on Mikel Arteta to restructure the team and recruit fighters and leaders on and off the pitch who have the ability to carry the Gunners through rough times.