Gunners' worries
Havertz is Arsenal's top scorer with 12 goals in all competitions but in his last two games he has had nine shots at an expected goals rate of 1.91, but failed to score.
While Havertz's ability to pick the right position is an undeniable plus, his wasting of shooting opportunities is a familiar problem.
Over the last three seasons, Havertz has been one of the Premier League’s worst performers, taking the worst chances and scoring fewer goals than expected. The same goes for Jesus, another Arsenal striker.
In total, Arsenal created chances worth 6.44 xGs against Newcastle and Man United but only scored one goal through Gabriel Magalhaes' effort.
Coach Arteta emphasized that the two recent defeats against Newcastle and Man United were somewhat unfair results for Arsenal, as they had dominated their opponents. However, the poor use of scoring opportunities in recent times shows that Arsenal are very strong in dead ball situations but they lack players who can make a difference in open play.
The loss of Bukayo Saka to injury has compounded the problem. Arsenal failed to score in eight games in all competitions last season, twice as many as Man City. That suggests the problem in attack is clear, but they have failed to address it in the summer transfer window of 2024.
Having been eliminated from the FA Cup, lost the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-finals, and run out of steam in the Premier League, Arsenal need to find a way to solve this problem, if they don't want to continue to have a trophyless season.
Is Arteta to blame?
The signings of Merino and Calafiori in the summer of 2024 continue Arteta’s focus on defensive recruits, with the club bringing in just six attacking midfielders or strikers on permanent deals since his appointment compared to 18 defenders, defensive midfielders or goalkeepers.
This is partly down to circumstance. Arteta inherits a defence that needs a complete overhaul but has much better tools to support the attack in the form of Saka and Gabriel Martinelli.
Arsenal's cautious and solid defense is something to be noted. However, through the two matches against Newcastle and Man United, Arteta certainly realized the need for a quality striker in the attack, to solve the problem of goals.
The Spaniard hinted that the club should have a player who could have a big impact in attack like Newcastle’s Isak, in what appeared to be a direct comment to the club’s board about what he felt was lacking in his squad.
Arsenal's pursuit of RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko shows that Arsenal were looking to strengthen their attack in the summer, and Arteta cannot be blamed for failing to complete that deal.
Despite his influence, he was not the only one responsible for recruiting and building the club's squad. Retired sporting director Edu, along with other club decision-makers, should also be closely monitored.
