Why is frustration growing at Arteta's Arsenal? News

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Why is frustration growing at Arteta's Arsenal?

By Daily Sports Nigeria on January 15, 2025

The frustration is growing at Arsenal.

Trailing Newcastle 2-0 in their EFL Cup semi-final after the first leg and now knocked out of the FA Cup by 10-man Manchester United, it has been a forgettable week for the Gunners.

On Wednesday, Mikel Arteta's men host north London rivals Tottenham in the Premier League, seven points off leaders Liverpool.

Arteta has now been in charge of Arsenal, a club he made more than 100 appearances for as a player, for five years and is the Premier League's third longest-serving manager.

He has helped them recover from mediocrity to consistent challengers at the top of the game but - with just the 2020 FA Cup to his name - is patience beginning to fade among some fans?

It has to be pointed out they are third in the league, still in the Champions League and in the semi-final of the League Cup - having been Manchester City's closest title challengers in recent years.

But, with questions again growing about Arsenal's inability to sign a prolific goalscorer and their, at times, functional style of play, Arsenal fans appear divided when it comes to whether Arteta can deliver success.

TV presenter and Arsenal fan Robert Peston wrote on X the "heart had gone from the team" and there was "no strategy to transform Arsenal into trophy-winners from honourable runners-up".

Ex-Arsenal forward Theo Walcott added on BBC Radio 5 Live: "They are dominating the ball and look strong at the back but they have lost the hunger of opening up teams."

Meanwhile, Athletic journalist Rory Smith said: "Arsenal are a system team and when it doesn't work and they can't find a way though, other than Saka and Martin Odegaard, who is thinking 'I'm going to take this into my own hands?' Against a team that is happy to absorb pressure they seem to run out of ideas."

Arsenal's problems are obvious if you listen to most people. Scoring goals.

And, while the basic stats don't make this obvious, with the Gunners the third top scorers in the league this season, a deeper look highlights their problems in front of goal.

While they have the best defensive record in the league, they are only sixth in terms of big chance conversion rate all season, and eighth since 1 December. And they are the only side in the top six to not have a goalscorer in double figures.

Their lack of ruthlessness was shown in recent cup games.

They had 23 shots with only three on target against Newcastle, and 26 with seven on target against Manchester United in 120 minutes.

It must be noted they are without their key creative force, Bukayo Saka, and his potential replacement Ethan Nwaneri because of injury, but that will not soften the call for Arteta to bring in a new striker - especially following a serious injury to Gabriel Jesus.

Former Manchester City defender Micah Richards told Match of the Day: "The difference between Arsenal winning the league or winning these ties is just a centre-forward."

Since Arteta was appointed, the Gunners have a net spend of £500.14m, according to data from Football Transfers,, external while City's is just £59.75m in that same period, helped by sales of young talent.

In the five years previous to Arteta's appointment their net spend was £235.4m.

But a lack of a striker remains the burning criticism.

Their ruthlessness in front of goal was also highlighted as an issue last season, but their only attacking addition in the summer was Raheem Sterling from Chelsea - and his impact has been minimal.

The last time Arsenal had a player score 20 goals or more in the Premier League was when Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang did it in 2018-19 and 2019-20.

While 20 of Arsenal's 62 goals in all competitions this season, 32% have come from set-pieces.

Source BBC Sports

Posted January 15, 2025