Sky Sports pundit concerned as Arsenal’s lack of fluency a worry after latest poor performance

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Charlie Nicholas has insisted that Arsenal’s fluency and rhythm has been lost as Arsene Wenger’s side haven’t looked as convincing in recent weeks.

The Gunners remain on an 18-game unbeaten run in all competitions, and have certainly shown a steelier side to their game so far this season.

However, after impressing through October and with big wins over the likes of Chelsea and Sunderland, it has been a bit more of a struggle for Wenger’s men in the last three weeks or so.

Having been held to draws by Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain, Nicholas believes that something is missing from this Arsenal team as they lack the fluency that they showed earlier in the campaign.

“When it went to 2-1 with a fortunate own goal from [Marco] Verratti, you thought they’d kick on a bit. You knew the counter attack and force that PSG had, they could get a second goal,” he told Sky Sports.

“They created the space, and it’s a half decent second half from Arsenal, but their rhythm and fluency from three weeks ago has gone. Everything is hard graft at the moment, having to work overtime.

“And Arsenal, when they don’t start well, go sluggish and sit in, thinking they can find their rhythm, it doesn’t work like that. It doesn’t fit them.”

Nicholas went on further bemoan Arsenal’s starts to game and also questioned what the team’s best formation is and which personnel Wenger should start with.

After an awful opening 45 minutes against PSG, they will have to start much quicker against Bournemouth this weekend if they wish to end their winless streak.

If they start fast, they’ll get the crowd on their side and could overwhelm their opponents with their pressing and quality on the ball. Make another slow start and the frustration and anxiety could build and a totally different atmosphere could start to be felt at the Emirates.

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