Arsenal have let themselves down this season but this is why things will improve

Much was promised from Arsenal this season having pushed Manchester City hard in the two years previous.

Liverpool were expected to go into the new Premier League campaign in a period of transition while City's dominance would have to end at some stage. All signs pointed towards Mikel Arteta's team taking advantage.

Arsenal need to fix Edu problem to compete with Man City and Liverpool

They have the settled squad and the experience of title challenges behind them to go one step further. However, as we enter the final international break of 2024, the Gunners sit nine points behind leaders Liverpool and four points behind City.

It may well be just 11 matches into the season, but the gap to Arne Slot's team is already huge and the Gunners only have themselves to blame. While their home form has been good without being spectacular, it is away from home where their troubles lie.

Defeats to Newcastle and Bournemouth, coupled with draws at Manchester City and more recently Chelsea have seen Arteta's men slip off the pace in the top flight. It is perhaps no surprise to see Arsenal struggling when you take into account their attacking stats away from the Emirates Stadium.

Prior to the trip to Stamford Bridge, they had scored just five goals away from home which ranks them joint 18th in the Premier League. What's more, they have had the least amount of shots on target in the top flight this season away from home (13) and second lowest amount of shots in general during away games in the Premier League (37).

It should come as no surprise then that Arsenal are struggling in the top flight when they have been blunt in attacking positions. However, the good news for Arsenal fans is that things should start to turnaround between now and the end of the year.

So far in the Premier League, the lowest ranked side Arsenal have travelled to is 12th placed Bournemouth. But between now and the end of 2024, the Gunners have three away trips to West Ham, Fulham and Crystal Palace which should provide easier tasks albeit Marco Silva's side are no pushovers.

Considering the long trips in Europe that they have already had to deal with, having three London away days should provide less strain on the Gunners' squad and allow for more recovery time which is particularly key during the busy Christmas period. So while the attacking stats away from home look bad now, there will be hope that some relatively easier fixtures could bump them heading into 2025 and in turn boost their league position.