Theo Walcott has highlighted what worried him most about Arsenal's defeat to Newcastle in the Carabao Cup.
Mikel Arteta's side have a mammoth task on their hands if they are to reach the final of the competition after losing 2-0 at the Emirates in their semi-final first leg on Tuesday evening.
Goals from Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon mean the Gunners must go to St James' Park and overturn a two-goal deficit to set up a final against Tottenham or Liverpool.
But the cup isn't the only competition in which Arsenal have had problems. They are second in the Premier League but six points behind Liverpool, who have a game in hand.
Despite this, Arteta's side are increasingly struggling in front of goal and will be without talisman Bukayo Saka for a number of months due to injury.
And former Arsenal winger Walcott, speaking during Sky Sports' coverage of Tuesday's match, made it clear where he believes the Gunners are going wrong.
“What worries me about Arsenal is that they are constantly getting worked up about set pieces rather than the free football that they are known for,” Walcott said. 'We are shocked.
'It was a very poor performance in the second half. It moves away from free-flowing football and creating chances.
“I think it's a lack of confidence, I think there were a lot of nerves in the stadium.”
Saka could be out until the spring after undergoing hamstring surgery, and Arsenal must now find a way to replace his goals and creativity.
Ethan Nwaneri looked set for a run on the Gunners' right flank and scored against Brighton, but suffered his own injury in the match and is set for a spell on the sidelines.
Gabriel Martinelli has been tried there, while Leandro Trossard played most of Tuesday's match in Saka's position.
Yet no choice has worked yet, and Arsenal have occasionally had to rely on set pieces to create chances. Nine of their 39 goals in the Premier League this season have come from corners – a division high.
And Jamie Redknapp pulled no punches as he discussed the side's struggles in Saka's absence with a cheeky analysis of the north London club.
“No shots on target for Arsenal in the second half,” Redknapp began. 'It shows that without Saka they are toothless.
'No pace in the team, they missed him so much, didn't have enough quality and it didn't look like they were ever going to achieve anything.'
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