Mikel Arteta made a grave mistake last summer which is proving costly for Arsenal this season and it was further highlighted against Everton.
Arsenal were held to a frustrating goalless draw with Everton over the weekend as they failed to break down Sean Dyche’s side. The stalemate saw them stay six points off league leaders Liverpool, who also have a game in hand over them.
The Gunners’ supporters are becoming increasingly frustrated at the way their team are playing this term with suggestions they are becoming boring to watch. Arteta’s side are struggling in front of goal and that seems to stem from a decision made by the Spaniard last summer.
Mikel Arteta, head coach of Arsenal FC reacts during the UEFA Champions League football match Inter Milan and Arsenal FC at San Siro Stadium in Mi...
Photo by Piero Cruciatti/Anadolu via Getty Images
Are Arsenal getting worse under Mikel Arteta?
Arsenal’s failure to land a striker during the 2024 summer transfer window seems to be hindering them big time this season. Statics show how the North Londoners have dropped off in front of goal across the last three seasons at this same stage.
The Gunners have scored fewer goals, taken less shots and created a smaller xG in their first 16 matches than they managed in the last two campaigns. In 2022, Arteta’s team had scored 40 times and sat top of the league by this stage, whereas this season, they’ve netted on 11 fewer occasions.
2022-23 2023-24 2024-25
Goals 40 33 29
Shots 252 243 226
Conversion rate (%) 15.9 13.6 12.8
xG 31.53 29.71 27.7
Arsenal’s attacking data after 16 league matches across the last three seasons (Opta via BBC Sport)
Two players who were flying during that period were Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus, both players were proving to be two of the league’s best attackers. However, two years on and the Brazilian duo look just a shadow of the players they were back then.
Leandro Trossard and Raheem Sterling are the two attackers they have since added to the squad and whilst the Belgian has produced several big moments, neither player has improved their line-up. Last summer, they were crying out for a new forward, but only Sterling was signed.
There now seems to be an overreliance on the brilliance of Bukayo Saka to make something happen, which just simply isn’t sustainable. That needs to change in January with a new striker being signed.
What striker could Arsenal land in January?
TBR Football recently reported that Arsenal are keeping tabs on Dusan Vlahovic’s situation at Juventus. The Bianconeri want him to sign a new contract and take a pay cut on his £200k-per-week wages, however, the striker seems unwilling at this stage.
Randal Kolo-Munai is another striker they are keeping an eye on ahead of next month’s transfer window. TBR Football understands that Arsenal have stepped up talks to sign Kolo-Munai in recent days.
Other targets include Alexander Isak who Arsenal are closely monitoring as Newcastle struggle to tie the Swede down to a new deal. Viktor Gyokeres also has admirers at the Emirates, according to TBR Football sources.
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