Arsenal's striker problem

NGUYỄN ĐĂNG |

Kai Havertz missed a series of good opportunities against Man United and Gabriel Jesus' injury show that Arsenal are facing difficulties with the striker problem.

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.

NGUYỄN ĐĂNG
TIN LIÊN QUAN

Arsenal risk losing everything after defeat to Man United in the FA Cup

|

Despite playing impressively in recent seasons, Mikel Arteta's almost empty hand has made Arsenal question their class.

After Man City, Liverpool hinder Arsenal from winning the Premier League

|

After two seasons of competing closely with Man City in the journey to win the Premier League, Arsenal has encountered a huge obstacle called Liverpool this season.

Arteta can't swallow Arsenal's defeat to Man United

|

Mikel Arteta described Arsenal's FA Cup third-round defeat to Man United as a unique event, as they missed clear chances, especially Kai Havertz.

Checking a student vehicle, Hanoi Traffic Police discovered a modified vehicle

|

Hanoi - Checking the parking lot around the school, the Traffic Police discovered a modified student vehicle.

Russia accuses Ukraine of violating ceasefire agreement

|

Russia has accused Ukraine of violating the deal while President Zelensky has seen a temporary ceasefire in the energy sector as a diplomatic victory.

Fire in Ho Chi Minh City, mother dies while returning to save her child

|

HCMC - At the time of the fire, the mother rushed to take her young child out and returned home to save the old son. Unfortunately, the house collapsed, both mother and child and the brother died.

Miss Do My Linh's husband becomes Chairman of Vietravel Airlines

|

Businessman Do Vinh Quang - husband of Miss Vietnam Do My Linh has just been elected as Chairman of Vietravel Airlines at the age of just 30.

Myanmar earthquake and measures to reduce aftershocks in Vietnam

|

The earthquake in Myanmar affected some places in Vietnam, so measures should be taken to reduce the risk of aftershocks from neighboring areas.

Arsenal risk losing everything after defeat to Man United in the FA Cup

VIỆT HÙNG |

Despite playing impressively in recent seasons, Mikel Arteta's almost empty hand has made Arsenal question their class.

After Man City, Liverpool hinder Arsenal from winning the Premier League

VIỆT HÙNG |

After two seasons of competing closely with Man City in the journey to win the Premier League, Arsenal has encountered a huge obstacle called Liverpool this season.

Arteta can't swallow Arsenal's defeat to Man United

NGUYỄN ĐĂNG |

Mikel Arteta described Arsenal's FA Cup third-round defeat to Man United as a unique event, as they missed clear chances, especially Kai Havertz.