Will Arsenal’s lack of ruthless match-winner cost them the title?
It’s rare for a team to challenge for the title without a striker in the team of the season talks, but it’s hard to argue with the fact of where Arsenal are.
Man City’s Haaland and Antoine Semenyo will undoubtedly be in contention for end-of-season honors; Past championship winners boasted names such as Mohamed Salah, Sergio Agüero and Didier Droga.
Arsenal’s current forward options – Gyokeres, Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli, Noni Madueke, Eze and Gabriel Jesus – undoubtedly have their strengths – but calling any of them ruthless match-winners feels a bit far-fetched.
Gyokeres’ all-round play has been questioned and he is generally only effective against sides not at the top of the table.
Havertz’s first goal of the season, Leandro Trossard hasn’t scored in 22 games, Madueke has two league goals, Eze has six goals; but five of these came in two matches against rivals Tottenham Hotspur.
Arsenal were also without Bukayo Saka, who was playing due to an Achilles injury, but although he is usually one of Arsenal’s most reliable strikers, his numbers have been low this season.
Arteta’s team have been criticized throughout the season for their style of play; their strengths were the threat from set pieces and their excellence in defending key pieces.
Throughout the season, Arsenal struggled to create chances at times and this was reflected in their goals from open play.
Arsenal have a goal expectation of 35.8 from open play this season, ranking sixth in the league. Manchester City is in second place with 42.1 points, and Chelsea is in first place with 43.2 points.
“Teams were starting to fear Arsenal’s set-pieces,” former Arsenal defender Gael Clichy said on BBC Radio 5 Live.
“Getting points is great, but as time goes on you start to trust it and feel comfortable about it. You don’t concede many goals, you don’t score many goals, but you get opportunities in positions where you feel you can score.
“The message you’re sending is: ‘Don’t worry guys, stay strong, if we get set pieces we can count on it’.”
The former defender thinks if Arsenal play in a different style their forwards will improve.
“As time goes on, you think less about how to create people and less about how to harm them,” he said.
“This has nothing to do with playing ‘free football’ and scoring five goals, but if you give that freedom to the players they signed during the summer, I think they can harm any team.
“I’ve had a feeling the last couple of weeks, it feels like they’re not trying to make mistakes instead of taking risks and trying to win.”
