With the winter switch window closed, Arsenal once more failed to repair a obvious downside. To make issues worse, Kai Havertz suffered an damage, additional depleting the workforce’s attacking choices. As they push ahead in each the Premier League and Champions League, the problem of sustaining momentum with no dependable aim scorer grows bigger than ever.
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Harm Disaster
Accidents to Gabriel Jesus, Bukayo Saka, and Gabriel Martinelli have stretched Arsenal’s attacking depth to the restrict. Solely Leandro Trossard, Raheem Sterling, and Ethan Nwaneri stay recognised forwards. But Mikel Arteta refuses to shrink back from tactical experiments. He has beforehand deployed Thomas Partey at right-back and academy graduate Miles Lewis-Skelly at left-back, proving his willingness to adapt.
With so few choices, Arteta might must get artistic once more. May an unconventional resolution work? Mikel Merino, a box-to-box midfielder, thrived as a makeshift striker in opposition to Leicester Metropolis, scoring twice. May he present the short-term repair Arsenal desperately wants?
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Missed Switch Alternatives
Regardless of their obvious want for a striker, Arsenal once more failed to shut essential offers, irritating followers and pundits. The membership has pursued high-profile targets like Ollie Watkins, Benjamin Sesko, and Dusan Vlahovic, but each chase led to disappointment. Arsenal’s long-standing admiration for Alexander Isak—who reminds lots of Thierry Henry—additionally led nowhere, as they refused to pay the required premium.
As an alternative of securing reinforcements, the membership pushed its striker search to the summer season, prioritising monetary warning. Nonetheless, with rivals like Manchester Metropolis strengthening their squads, standing nonetheless might imply falling behind.
The One That Acquired Away
Arsenal’s switch struggles worsened as Mika Biereth, a former academy striker, discovered red-hot type in Europe. After leaving for Sturm Graz final summer season, he secured a £12.5 million transfer to Monaco in January. He exploded with seven targets in his earlier seven matches, together with back-to-back hat-tricks.
His fast rise has reignited debates over Arsenal’s squad planning. Protecting a promising younger ahead might have made a distinction if no senior strikers have been accessible. Promoting him with no buy-back clause now appears like a significant misstep.
Arteta’s Problem
With no new reinforcements, Arsenal should discover options inside their squad. Arteta might flip to academy prospects like Ethan Nwaneri, however counting on untested kids in a title race carries important dangers.
Robust defensive performances have stored Arsenal aggressive, however their lack of a dependable aim scorer might derail their ambitions. The following few months will check Arteta’s capability to adapt and maximize his squad’s potential.
For now, Arsenal followers can solely hope their workforce defies the chances. But when their lack of a striker prices them silverware, many will bear in mind the membership’s January inaction as a pricey mistake.
