Walcott disclose what worries him most about Arsenal

Theo Walcott has highlighted what concerned him most with Arsenal’s defeat by Newcastle in the Carabao Cup.

Mikel Arteta’s side have been left with a mammoth task if they want to reach the final of the competition after losing 2-0 at the Emirates in their semi-final first leg tie on Tuesday night.

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 either Tottenham or Liverpool.

But the cup is not the only competition Arsenal have had issues in. They are second in the Premier League table, but trail Liverpool, who have a game in hand, by six points.

Despite that, Arteta’s side have started to struggle more and more in front of goal, and will be without talisman Bukayo Saka for a number of months through injury.

And former Arsenal winger Walcott, speaking during Sky Sports’ coverage of Tuesday’s game, picked out where he thinks the Gunners are going wrong.

‘What worries me for Arsenal is they are getting excited about set pieces all the time rather than free flowing football, which they are known for,’ Walcott said. ‘We are shying away from it’It was a very lackluster performance in the second half. It’s going away from free flowing football and creating chances.

‘It is a lack of confidence I think, I think there were a lot of nerves in the stadium.’

Saka could be out until the spring after undergoing surgery on his hamstring, and Arsenal must now find a way to replace his goal scoring and creativity.

Ethan Nwaneri seemed set for a run on the Gunners’ right flank and scored against Brighton, but picked up his own injury in the game and is set for a spell on the sidelines.

Gabriel Martinelli has been tried there, while Leandro Trossard played the majority of Tuesday’s match in Saka’s position.

Still, no choice has yet worked, and Arsenal have found themselves relying on set pieces for chance creation on occasion. Nine of their 39 Premier League goals this season have been from corners – a division high..