The Lower Eastern Times Opening The Third Eye
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By: Nick Nayma Maina
Game control, dominance, and lamentable finishing; these are the terms I’ll employ to depict the recent performance of the Arsenal squad. While it’s widely acknowledged that The Gunners are the most formidable team in club football in the league, Man City enthusiasts may dispute these facts.
As a Manchester United fan, envy won’t consume me too much. The style of football exhibited by Arteta’s team is undeniably entertaining, if not outright beautiful. However, despite these commendable attributes, Arsenal has managed to score only one goal in their last five games – a topic fans prefer to avoid, fearing it might lead to frustration and boycotting of certain key players.
The most recent setback came at the hands of Liverpool, where they conceded two goals. The game, which initially seemed to favor Arsenal, concluded in a disappointing loss. Liverpool managed to score with only three shots on target out of 12, while Arsenal had five out of a total of 18 shots.
Statistically, Arsenal has had a staggering 450 chances to score goals but has only converted 35 of them. With 18 open play goals, 11 set-piece goals, and 6 penalties, the team possesses one of the most promising young attacking forwards. However, they are struggling to convert chances into goals. Gabriel Jesus, leading the front line, has only managed 3 goals in 15 appearances with a single assist. Martinelli, with 18 appearances, has bagged only two goals, two assists, and created just two chances. Jesus has taken a total of 32 shots but converted only 3.
Is it Arteta’s philosophy that is no longer effective for his forwards, or is there another underlying problem?
Now, let’s focus on Bukayo Saka. The 22-year-old English forward has been a crucial player for the squad, primarily operating from the right wing. While he remains a constant threat to the opponent’s defense, he has been struggling to score goals, disappointing Fantasy Premier League managers. Saka has amassed 6 assists and 6 goals in 19 appearances. However, his wide positioning alongside Martinelli disrupts the calculated moves when he eventually reaches the penalty box, giving defenders enough time to analyze his next move.
Holding the ball for too long has also become a disadvantage. As football legend Ian Wright suggested in a social media post, Arsenal needs a ruthless striker – someone with an unwavering commitment to goal-scoring.
Is there a possibility that Arsenal will sign a lethal center forward in the January window? Many names have been linked to a move to the Emirates Stadium, with Ivan Toney being prominently mentioned. However, his valuation of 100 million might pose a hurdle. In my opinion, Arsenal doesn’t necessarily need a 100 million striker to rejuvenate their goal-scoring abilities. A minor positional adjustment might prove beneficial in upcoming games. While there is quality in the squad, it will take more than words to end the goal drought and secure consistent victories.
