Arsenal’s recent Carabao Cup semi-final loss at St James’ Park was a wake-up call.
Ten days ago, I witnessed Newcastle dominate the Gunners. During the match, Eddie Howe and his assistant Jason Tindall repeatedly shouted at Alexander Isak to sprint back and help defend. However, Isak simply smiled and kept jogging. Clearly, his focus remains on scoring rather than tracking back.
Furthermore, Arsenal currently lack a genuine No. 9. Historically, Arsene Wenger favored world-class finishers like Ian Wright, Nicolas Anelka, Thierry Henry, Robin Van Persie, and even Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. Yet, Mikel Arteta appears hesitant. He seems too frightened to embrace a striker with a single-minded, maverick nature. Consequently, the club’s attacking threat suffers.
Transfer Policy
In addition, Arsenal’s transfer policy has raised many eyebrows. The club watched Kai Havertz suffer a season-ending torn hamstring, a devastating blow indeed. Moreover, the reported £60million bid for Ollie Watkins in January felt like a PR stunt. The club also passed on Ivan Toney and Victor Osimhen while selling back-up striker Eddie Nketiah to Crystal Palace without a proper replacement.
Meanwhile, the striker options on the roster remain bleak. Gabriel Jesus is out injured, and Havertz’s absence forces Arteta into ‘false nine’ territory. With Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli also sidelined, Arsenal now rely on Leandro Trossard, Raheem Sterling, and the 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri. As a result, the team’s offensive depth is severely compromised during a crucial run-in.
In the match against Newcastle, the Gunners’ individual performances left much to be desired. David Raya received a rating of 5 after failing to prevent early pressure. Jurrien Timber scored 6, while William Saliba managed only a 4 after his frustration cost him a booking.
Advertisement
Latest Press Conference
We’re on Social Media
Additionally, Gabriel Magalhaes earned 6 and Myles Lewis-Skelly impressed with a 7. Martin Odegaard, Thomas Partey, and Declan Rice all landed 6s, and Gabriel Martinelli’s brief outing saw a 5. Kai Havertz, however, was rated 4, as were Leandro Trossard, Ethan Nwaneri, Mikel Merino, Raheem Sterling, Riccardo Calafiori, and Jorginho.
Moreover, Arsenal’s failure to secure a proven goalscorer now haunts them. The club has no player with 10 league goals this season. In stark contrast, veteran Chris Wood boasts 17 goals for Nottingham Forest. Consequently, the absence of a clinical striker not only hampers the team’s title challenge but also undermines their overall threat in front of goal.
Furthermore, with Kai Havertz out, Arsenal now lean even more on set-pieces. The team desperately needs a prime target to convert corners into goals. Without that threat, opponents become extra cautious not to concede. This tactical shortfall could prove costly if Arsenal are to mount a challenge against Liverpool and secure a win at Anfield.
Lastly, the controversy isn’t limited to Arsenal. Manchester City recently showcased a giant tifo featuring Rodri with the Ballon d’Or, which stirred strong reactions. Real Madrid boycotted the awards, arguing that Vinicius Junior deserved the accolade instead.
Similarly, Watford’s mascot Harry the Hornet once dived to ridicule Wilf Zaha during a match against Crystal Palace—a stunt that reportedly cost the man inside the costume his job. Ultimately, these incidents remind us that excessive pride and tactical inflexibility rarely yield long-term success.
