Champions League: Arsenal form concerns assistant Steve Bould

 

Arsenal are "lacking confidence", said assistant manager Steve Bould after the London club were beaten 2-0 at home by Schalke in the Champions League.

Bould, taking charge in the absence of the Arsene Wenger who was serving out his touchline ban, watched Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and Ibrahim Afellay fire the Germans to victory.

"We haven't looked our best since the international break," said Bould.

"We lacked a bit of confidence. It's a concern we're not making many chances."

Arsenal have struck fewer shots than any other team in this season's Champions League - only 22.

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“We've gone behind in last five games - to keep coming back is tough”

Steve Bould

"We normally create chances, so we're not accustomed to this," added former defender Bould, who played for the Gunners between 1988 and 1999.

"It looks like we're lacking confidence on the ball and that's unusual. We looked a bit tired and jaded."

Schalke created the best chances of the match. Huntelaar missed from four yards and failed to connect with a Jefferson Farfan cross from about the same distance, while centre-back Benedikt Howedes fired over from eight yards out.

"If we escaped with a 0-0 draw we would have been delighted," said Bould.

Some Gunners fans booed at the final whistle, and Bould added: "We've lost at home and of course they're frustrated. We are as well."

Arsenal came into the match on the back of a surprise 1-0 loss to Norwich and next face QPR at home on Saturday.

"We have a tough game here on Saturday," added Bould.

"We've gone behind in our last five games - to keep coming back is tough."

Gunners captain Thomas Vermaelen agreed that his team-mates did not test Schalke enough.

"We lost on Saturday [to Norwich] and we wanted to do better here," said the Belgian.

"It was the same story as Saturday - we didn't create enough chances. We gave it 100%, but it was a bit difficult.

"These moments are difficult but you have to work hard."