Bukayo Saka has been below-par in recent weeks (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
After a year in which so much progress had been made, it was a disappointing end to 2023 for Arsenal.
The Gunners topped the Premier League table at Christmas following a 1-1 draw with Liverpool at Anfield.
But defeat at home to West Ham was followed by another surprise defeat away at Fulham on New Year’s Eve.
It leaves the Gunners in 4th, and though they’re by no means out of the title race, they’ve lost their opportunity to build a lead on champions Manchester City following their participation in the Club World Cup in Saudi Arabia.
Part of the Gunners’ downturn has been the form of Bukayo Saka, with Arteta’s side overly reliant on the England winger.
Saka was well below-par at Craven Cottage, despite his early goal.
Arteta was furious (Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Arteta, who is never too far away from an angry tirade, was seen throwing his arms up at the winger and shouting at the playmaker during the second half.
While the Spaniard is regularly animated on the sidelines, Saka is rarely the subject of his anger.
But football.london say Arteta was furious with Saka’s loose passing and let rip at the winger following a pass that was intercepted during the second half.
Saka tried to play a cross-field pass to Gabriel Martinelli but underhit it, and it allowed Fulham to break on the Gunners.
MORE : Arsenal must sign Brentford star Ivan Toney in January transfer window, says Paul Merson
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
He wasn’t happy.