Are Arsenal less dangerous in attack this season?
Arsenal started off the Premier League season in style, staying undefeated until our loss against Newcastle United and although we’ve had a great start to the season, currently sitting third on the table, behind Manchester City on top and equal points with Liverpool in 2nd, there seems to be a lack of danger when going forward that last season, didn’t seem to be a problem, but is that a bad thing?
In my opinion and my short answer, yes and no. Yes our attacking system this season doesn’t feel as dangerous when going forward and we haven’t been as clinical as we were for the most of last season, but having said that, our defence looks more solid than ever and it makes me think that Arteta may have switched up his plans a bit and focussed on a more solid backline and midfield then focussing on our attack.
Also, with Gabriel Jesus having so many injury troubles again this season, it’s left our attack a bit all over the place and the consistent front three of Gabriel Jesus, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli that we all got so used to seeing last season, haven’t really been able to play together and without that consistency and constant game time together, it’s left our attack looking a bit lost and not as dominant as Arsenal fans would have hoped.
But saying that, we’re conceding less goals and keeping more clean sheets. Our defence and midfield have looked solid and bringing in Declan Rice, Kai Havertz and Jorginho has really added a lot of depth and strength when out of possession. Zinchenko, Gabriel, Saliba and White has become a consistent and solid backline also, and with that consistency comes clean sheets and has made the keepers job much easier.
Should Arsenal fans be worried that we’re not scoring as many goals as last season? Maybe, but with all the injury concerns, I think it’s something that’s unfortunately unavoidable until we buy another striker. Obviously Nketiah can and does a great job and so has Trossard since joining the club, but Arsenal deserve a top class, experienced striker and we have that in Jesus but with all the injuries, it does leave us a bit open and less dangerous in attack.
Hopefully we get Jesus back to his best and at full fitness, but Arteta and his recruitment staff should be looking to bring someone in as soon as possible. As long as our defence stays solid, I don’t think our attacking will become a problem, but it is clear that if we had a consistent world class striker we would probably be dominating the league.
What’s your thoughts Gooners?
Daisy Mae
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We’re lacking a partey replacement more than a cf right now imo. Even if you think rice should play that dm role, we don’t have a quality partner for him that could keep us solid throughout the season.
However I agree a top cf would take us up a level – those are really hard to find.
Top CF, Top RB, Top CM, Top GK and one Top winger better than Saka or Martinelli then maybe we can topple mancity, otherwise we will still competing for the second spot.
Can’t agree on needing a new RB. I think Ben White is excellent and the most underrated player in the squad. He dovetails beautifully with Saka and fulfills a RB/RCB hybrid role that is a technical and skilled position to play.
You’re right about the rest though. Kind of. I actually think David Raya is a great GK and is as good as we are likely to get without dropping a bunch of cash we could use elsewhere.
Unfortunately the silky Kai Havertz from his Leverkusen days is gone now, Chelsea beat it out of him. But his technical excellence is still there, so we should mold him into the player we need, not the player we have. Just like RvP.
I would like to see Zinchenko occupying Xhaka’s old role. He isn’t good enough at defending to be a LB but he is good at it to partner Rice in the middle. Leave Tomiyasu or Timber at LB, where they’re both excellent.
And we have a winger already that is better than Saka and Martinelli, unfortunately we play him as our main striker. Jesus is a fantastic winger and a more natural role for him to play in my opinion.
We have all the players we need if we just use them properly.
Obi-Martin just scored 10 goals this week when Arsenal beat Liverpool 14-3. Although he is only 15 years old, it shows the future is bright for Arsenal in the striker position.// However, for the meantime, we need a Tall Strong TargetMan, that is both technical and clinical to net us 20 goals a season, create spaces, link up tight one two passing play, and hold up the ball without being kicked easily to the ground. A lot to ask. Napoli’s Victor is a good example, a strong Drogba type TargetMan.Not sure their is a player available at present without breaking the bank to get him.
Daisy Mae, can you explain your comment “Obviously Nketiah can and does a great job” please?
While supporting him 100%, I fail to see why you would need to write this article if he was.
Jon, I only wanted to know why Daisy Mae thought Eddie was such a great player, as we all have different thoughts about our squad.
Nothing more and nothing less.
You and I disagree on the likes of Ozil, Elneny etc so maybe she’s seen something that I’ve missed regarding Nketiah?
If we had a truly world class striker we may be top of the league but how many are there ? Kane and Haaland fit the bill but no chance of them coming. Osimhen is about the only one who is remotely in that category who may be available.
If Jesus can stay injury free he would he man.
But injury prone.
Ps
How is Balogun doing have not checked
Not good, played 9 league games and scored 3 (one game hattrick)
Nah, we don’t need any.😎
Everton has been hit with a 10pt deduction for violating ffp rules, so you all that come here and always say we need a cf, rwb, lwb, car etc should keep this in mind as we are a hated club and wouldn’t be spared by the powers that be if we eventually fall into their hands.
Ps I fail to see why man city haven’t been penalized or found guilty of breaching the ffp regulations. It just goes to show the corruption that is going on in the epl
Because Pep and Man City are the brand and it would mean the EPL basically ruining their product. I hate it. I am no Everton fan but it can’t be one rule for them and another for the ‘big’ clubs. Historically, at least, Man City are no bigger than Everton, they’ve just been artificially inflated by oil money.
Also, I believe I’m right in saying Everton have been found guilty of 1 charge of FFP breach? Man City are facing 100+ so how many points will they be deducted? My guess is absolutely none because this sport is corrupt and soulless from the top to the bottom. They can’t even make VAR work, while rugby has been using it brilliantly for years. It’s pathetic. I hate them all.
Dusan Vlahovic
Jonathan David
Victor Boniface
Santiago Gimenez
Tammy Abraham
Viktor Gyokeres
Benjamin Sesko
Matheus Cunha
Terem Moffi
Dusan Vlahovic
Jonathan David
Victor Boniface
👌👌👌
Jonathon David is excellent. You get all the workrate of Jesus but he scores goals as well. He’s also an Arsenal fan. However, let’s remember that last year in Life 1 he scored fewer goals than Alexander Lacazette. The very same Laca who couldn’t score in a Thai brothel with a roll of £50s and a gram of coke when he played for us. I still like him though. Good attitude and it is good for club exposure in Canada. Everyone’s a winner.
David wouldn’t have to be our main goal-scorer as long as he can create win freekicks and corners for his teammates as Jesus has been doing
I liked his high-pressing effort and hold-up play in World Cup. I think his aerial ability is better than Jesus’ and Nketiah’s, due to his height
I’d agree and I really like him but I think he is just more of what we already have. I think we need Vlahovic.
none of them are any better than what we have now actually most are below the standard
@ jon fox , you just love to put people down don’t you? , it makes you feel powerful doesn’t it? Have you ever considered that the writer doesn’t always write the heading, most real thinking people and reasonable people would just let this slide , I’m pretty sure you’ve even been told this by admin but you just couldn’t let the chance pass you by . By a long long distance you have the weakest character of any one on this site
👏
I just checked to see if @ Jon Fox had replied to my comment . I didn’t expect him to , as he is a coward . It seems he has deleted his comment . Where have you gone Jon
So you checked did you!
Well well ,I ought to be flattered that you care so much what I think, but the truth is I just dont care at all what you think.
Well done Kai. Good goal
Don’t agree with the writer but her optimism certainly brightened up a dull and miserable day up here in Cumbria. If we do dominate the PL it will only happen if Man City are relegated under the 100 or so FFP charges hanging over them. Slim chance though, the EPL will probably bottle it as UEFA have done when they come up against one of the big boys!! Remember the secret 6 EPL clubs trying to undermine both the EPL and UCL and the laughable fines imposed on them? Then compare that with Everton being docked 10 points for spending a few million more than they should have. Can’t wait for their judgement on City.
Probably. But that striker must a part of Arsenal team structure. Pressing, speed, power, technique and ruthlessness. No compromises. Find me such striker.
Have to disagree with you on Havertz and Jorginho bringing depth and strength, both of them are bench warmers, Havertz is a massive flop at over 60mil, a criminal waste of money.
It is imperative Arteta brings in a striker this winter transfer window. We need a focal point of attack. Our wide players can drift in and score/feed the striker and also our midfield can assist the central striker. The acquisition of a new striker would allow Jesus to rotate with Saka and Trossard to rotate with Martinelli. Till than I think Havertz could be tried as false no.9 and see how he performs.