LONDON – Rarely in elite sport is problem-solving so simple, but the case for Arsenal to sign a striker to realize their ambitions is growing stronger by the day.
The Gunners exited the FA Cup on Sunday with a 2-0 third round defeat to Liverpool that owed more to their own profligacy than anything else.
It is quickly becoming a familiar story. Arsenal wasted a host of opportunities in losing to West Ham and Fulham last week, although the latter performance was flawed in every respect. On Sunday, the Gunners were made to pay at the Emirates Stadium by a Liverpool team that for long periods seemed primarily concerned with avoiding a repeat, regardless of whether it meant winning or losing.
– Stream the FA Cup on ESPN+: Wigan AFC vs. Man United (Monday, 3pm ET)
– Read on ESPN+: Investigating what’s behind Arsenal’s sudden fall
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta lost standout striker Gabriel Jesus to a knee injury in the build-up to the match, opting to experiment with Kai Havertz starting through the middle for the first time since August’s Community Shield clash against Manchester City. Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp later described Arsenal’s set-up as “4-2-2-2”, with Havertz and Martin Odegaard operating as a “double ten”, so no one could question Arteta’s innovation in trying to Find a cure for your goal problems.
However, Havertz was one of several culprits, as he often touched too much before shooting or misdirected his goal when it seemed easier to test Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker. Reiss Nelson missed a number of chances in the opening 15 minutes alone as Odegaard also hit the crossbar and Liverpool struggled to get out of their own half.
Confidence was gradually lost in their game as Klopp changed his team, switching Luis Díaz and Darwin Núñez before introducing Diogo Jota, Ryan Gravenberch, Bobby Clark and Conor Bradley as Liverpool reversed the momentum and took advantage of Arsenal’s uncertainty.
Arsenal finally scored, but on the wrong side, with Jakub Kiwior heading in Trent Alexander-Arnold’s free kick in the 80th minute to further deepen the set-piece problem: Arsenal have conceded five goals in eight games in the entire competition in set-piece situations. .
Diaz scored a second goal in stoppage time with the kind of clinical finishing that Arsenal lacked all afternoon, leaving Arteta with even more questions about whether the answer to his current goalscoring woes lies in the transfer market. from January. Asked about the chances of signing a natural goalscorer this month, Arteta told beIN Sports: “At the moment it doesn’t seem realistic. What is my job, and what we have to do is improve our players and try to get better ones.” results with the players we have.”
Arsenal have taken 48 shots since their last goal at home. They have scored one goal in 63 shots since Christmas. They finished here against Liverpool with an expected goals (xG) figure of 2.74, but once again they showed nothing.
Arteta is right to be encouraged by his team’s creativity (they haven’t become a bad team overnight), but a run of one win in seven games threatens to sabotage a campaign that was so promising just fifteen games ago. days.
The Gunners boss was asked if this had become a psychological problem.
“That’s probably how it is,” he said. “Especially after today, more than against Fulham or West Ham before. That’s why I think we need to restart. This break is good. It comes at a good time. We’re also going to feel how we feel and how I feel about them in the moments difficult. I hope I can see it in other people too. When things are going well, they jump on the train. “Now things are difficult, let’s see where they are.”
Arteta revealed that Jesus has had a scan “that shows something” after complaining of pain in his knee. Arteta added: “Hopefully it’s not something big. It’s the same knee I had.” [an injury in before]so we couldn’t take any risks.”
Jesus, who is expected to travel with the team for a training break in Dubai, is Arsenal’s best striker but not a consistent and reliable goalscorer.
Havertz was unconvincing as a substitute, while Leandro Trossard played in the middle for Brighton, but his form has been patchy in that role for the Gunners. And what about Eddie Nketiah? The 24-year-old is paid £100,000 a week primarily to play the role of Jesus’ helper, but here he was an unused substitute. Crystal Palace have expressed interest in Nketiah and there must be a temptation in some quarters to let him move on if he was not retained here amid concerns Jesus risks a prolonged absence.
Of course, signing a striker in January is easier said than done.
Arsenal have limited funds available as they look to remain compliant with UEFA’s Financial Fair Play rules and their preferred target, Brentford’s Ivan Toney, would cost around £80m. Brentford are also reluctant to sell mid-season, so Arteta is likely to face the prospect of signing an alternative or sticking with what he has, until the summer offers more attractive weather to persuade Toney.
This enigma did not stop some fans from shouting “sign a striker” in Arteta’s direction during the match.
“What I ask of the fans is that they support the team as they have been in difficult moments,” Arteta responded. “Stick with the ones we have. They are incredibly good. If not, they won’t do what they did today and at Anfield.” [when drawing 1-1 in the Premier League on December 23].
“Support them. That’s exactly what they need. Then they feel important and supported. With their attitude they don’t deserve anything different. That’s my opinion. It’s frustrating, but what can we do? I can’t tell them.” If you play badly, you don’t shoot, Liverpool will score an own goal and win the game. I don’t know how to create a game plan like this. It is impossible.
“So, stick with them. If we have 18 shots, next time we’ll need to have 35. If we do that continually, the ball will go into the net and we’ll build momentum and win games. That’s for sure.”
That faith is being severely tested today.
