When Bukayo Saka threw his arms into the air in frustration after his tantalising cross was not even challenged for by an Arsenal player, it was quite clear how their Champions League semi-final second leg against Paris Saint-Germain was going to play out.
The Gunners were exceptional in the opening 15 minutes at Parc Des Princes but could not find a way through with Declan Rice going close before two stunning saves from Gianluigi Donnarumma to deny Gabriel Martinelli and Martin Odegaard. PSG survived that onslaught though and soon began throwing punches of their own.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia struck the post and Desire Doue forced David Raya into a smart stop before Fabian Ruiz doubled PSG's aggregate advantage with a sweet left-footed strike from the edge of the box.
Arsenal continued pushing for a goal that would bring them back into the tie but it was Luis Enrique's side that scored next as Achraf Hakimi took advantage of Thomas Partey's lack of awareness before curling home. Just minutes earlier, David Raya saved a Vitinha penalty, awarded in very controversial fashion, following VAR intervention.
Saka gave Arsenal a glimmer of hope after the ball broke his way, allowing for the easiest of finishes, following some great work and a cross by Leandro Trossard.
The Gunners' talisman then failed to keep down Riccardo Calafiori's cross, which was missed by Donnarumma, with the ball bouncing off his foot and somehow flying over the bar while the goal was open.
Though the 23-year-old was guilty of missing a great chance, by the end of the game he was the one looking to get on the end of balls into the box. As evidenced by his superb curling effort that was tipped round the post and the excellent cross in the first half, he is much better cutting inside or flying down the touchline.
It has been quite evident for some time that Arsenal need to sign an elite-level striker with Arteta's side managing 3.42 in xG compared to PSG's 1.85. A total of 5.11 xG was racked up by the Gunners across both legs and yet they managed just one goal.
That method is somewhat flawed as finishing those chances is another matter with Saka's chance, despite a number of factors, deemed to be a 0.8 xG miss. Those type of opportunities are not his bread and butter but it had become quite clear that he was the only Arsenal player likely to score.
As such, the impact signing a top centre-forward could have on Saka really is unprecedented. He has struck up a strong partnership with Kai Havertz but the former Chelsea forward often misses great opportunities despite having the movement to get himself in the right positions.
Saka's output is still impressive but the addition of a penalty box poacher could quite easily place him on the level of Mohamed Salah.
Purely as a footballer, the Liverpool superstar is not exactly easy on the eye, but his effectiveness and ability in front of goal cannot be questioned. While his own individual brilliance has helped him score plenty of goals, others around him drastically help that assist counter increase.
Willing runners from midfield also help with it, therefore it is rather obvious that the team has to be built around Saka. Arsenal are really on the verge of greatness with just two to three transfers in the right areas sure to propel them forward.
Once again, it is perfectly clear what the priority position is for recruitment and it simply cannot be ignored again.
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Arsenal Manager Mikel Arteta, Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Jesus with the Arsenal Therapy Dog Win during the Arsenal Men's team group shoot at London Colney on September 18, 2023
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