**Arsenal has struggled in the final third in its last two Premier League games, but can Mikel Arteta's side unlock Crystal Palace in the EFL Cup?**
Since the international break, Arsenal had been flying, but the last two Premier League games have seen Mikel Arteta's side dominate every facet of the contest yet be forced to settle for a point on both ocassions.
When Martin Odegaard is delightfully gliding past defenders and picking the lock of a stout back four, or Bukayo Saka torments his opponent and not only sets up goals but scores them, the Gunners are a joy to watch.
But as we have seen in the two previous league clashes, when the pair isn't at it, Arsenal loses all attacking threat. It can't just be up to the duo to make the team tick. That's where Gabriel Martinelli or Leandro Trossard come in, and they must start producing to take the pressure off Saka and Odegaard.
Or as Arteta states, find that "magic moment."
"Well a magic moment is not only just to score a goal," Arteta said via [arsenal.com](https://www.arsenal.com/news/every-word-mikels-pre-palace-press-conference?utm_source=arsenaldotcom&utm_medium=embedded-article&utm_campaign=news). "A magic moment can be Gabriel last year against Manchester United when he plays the striker offside for millimetres. That’s a magic moment as well in my opinion. It doesn’t only have to be scoring a goal, but we have players that are capable of doing it. Doing it every three days, that’s when you become a world class player, a player that wins games with individual actions and we’re trying to develop our players to have more of that because that would be another source of winning games."
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In previous seasons, Saka and Odegaard were the ones to create those magic moments. A piece of individual brilliance that is the difference between one point and three. That also used to be Martinelli a few seasons ago, but his magic seems to have deserted him.
Gabriel Jesus used to have that in his locker too, but as with Martinelli, things just are falling their way.
But against Crystal Palace in the EFL Cup Quarter Final, will the Gunners be able to purr in the final third and not rely on set-pieces? In truth, at this stage of the competition, it doesn't matter how you win as long as you win.
However, there is a cause for concern regarding Arsenal's ability to score from open play, despite slamming three past Monaco in the Champions League last week.
If there ever was a time for the Gunners to have a "magic moment," it is now.
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