Arsenal Transfer Update: Jesus Sale, Striker Dilemma, and January Plans
As the January transfer window approaches, Arsenal are reportedly considering both signings and player departures, with several key names possibly leaving the Emirates.
Recent rumors suggest that Gabriel Jesus, Oleksandr Zinchenko, and Kieran Tierney could be sold. This raises the question: should Mikel Arteta prioritize signing a striker, or are Arsenal’s recent struggles linked to broader tactical issues?
Arsenal’s attacking woes have been highlighted in their last three Premier League games, where they failed to create significant threats in open play. Their goalless draw against Everton further dented their title hopes, missing a crucial opportunity to close the gap on Liverpool.
Despite generating 13 shots and a decent expected goals (xG) tally, Arsenal struggled to convert chances. Critics argue that the centre-forward role remains a concern, particularly with Kai Havertz operating as a false nine. Havertz has managed just one goal in his last eight Premier League starts.
Reflecting on the Everton match, Havertz admitted, “We didn’t manage to do the little things in the box. We didn’t find the final pass, and our positioning wasn’t perfect. We need to improve that for the next match.”
Interestingly, Havertz has outscored Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus, Leandro Trossard, and Raheem Sterling combined this season. However, his performances have faced scrutiny due to limited attacking support from his teammates.
Gabriel Jesus, in particular, has struggled, scoring just once in his last 33 Arsenal appearances across all competitions. His limited starts outside the Carabao Cup indicate that Arteta’s trust in the Brazilian may be fading.
Though Arsenal scored 91 goals last season thanks to a balanced attack and set-piece strength, the current lack of depth up front raises concerns. However, unless injuries worsen or a prime target unexpectedly becomes available—similar to Martin Ødegaard’s loan from Real Madrid in 2021—a striker signing may not be a priority.
Arteta’s belief in his squad suggests he might stick with his current options. Yet, improving the left-wing position could help ease the scoring burden.
Both Martinelli and Trossard have rotated on the left but have only netted once in the league since mid-October. This over-reliance on Bukayo Saka and Martin Ødegaard for creativity underscores the need for better attacking balance.
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