Arsenal
Season after season Arsenal competes for the Premier League title. Now though this team has been completing at the top level and produced the right results, it’s still a long way till any title can be won. The Gooners are hoping seriously that they can win some silverware this season, but the job is far from done. Mikel Arteta has put in a lot of effort to make this team competitive once again.
But for some reason it has been falling short of a title win. Also for some reason it hasn’t been able to win another Cup, since his FA CUP triumph.
There is something still lacking and the fans know it. Yet they want to believe in their team and be optimistic. But it is the hope that kills!!
Let’s talk about the few concerns regarding this Arsenal squad-
* No proper striker up front for Arsenal, the no. 9 position is a problem
For some reason, Arsenal has been facing this problem season after season. No matter who the manager, there has been a strange inconsistency up top. Under Mikel Arteta, it was first Gabriel Jesus, then Kai Havertz and now Victor Gyokeres. Along with them, it was the likes of Eddie Nketiah and co. in supporting roles, with the wings being the focal point of the attack.
Now, it wouldn’t be accurate to say that the strikers that have come and gone, did not contribute to the team’s upward growth. However, in order to win a League or the Champions League for that matter, a top team needs more than just some makeshift attackers.
* What happens when Declan Rice needs a little rest or is not fit enough to start games?
Rice has been a proper team player for the Gunners. He has been giving it his all since his arrival at the Emirates. However, every player needs some rest and squad rotation is a must. This helps to extend their career as a player and keep them injury free for longer periods of time.
With that being said, Rice could be just one bad day away from an injury. And in recent times, some of the teams have tried to target him to an extent too. Hence, this becomes a major concern!!
* The Trossard injury can be a serious concern as he is one of the in-form goal-scorers
Leandro Trossard is one of the most in-form Arsenal players at present. His goals have helped Arsenal get some key points. To add to that, he is an assist/pre-assist machine, who has been creating some special plays for the Gunners. This has helped his team-mates score quite a few goals across the seasons that have gone by.
Trossard was doing really well so far in the current campaign too. However, he recently picked up a knock that could hurt Arsenal and their ambitions for the current campaign. What serious impact does it have on the team or not, remains to be seen!!
* Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus and Martin Odegaard’s contribution is a concern, while Victor Gyokeres is still quite RAW
As mentioned above, the attack has at times been a big QUESTION MARK!! Are these backup players who are not playing that much football, reliable!? The answer to these questions so far is a BIG NO!! Only Odegaard is the one who has received some serious game-time this term. Whether he will be able to lead his side to silverware or not, remains to be seen!!
* Saliba and Gabriel are the heart of this defensive line
Both the centre-backs are injured at present. And it cost the Gunners a point against Chelsea. Had they been playing the match, there would have surely been way better ball-control. And the pace of the attack would have been way faster. That too, against a 10-man Chelsea. Never a game to drop 2 points!!
Hopefully, Arteta can resolve these issues and can win something major this season!! Let’s wait and watch!!