Arsenal have growing problem they may need to fix in January to maintain Man City fight
Despite a 1-1 tie with Southampton on Sunday, Arsenal is still in first place in the Premier League, and Mikel Arteta’s team is also in first place in their Europa League group. As Pep Guardiola’s team defeated Brighton 3-1 on Saturday, Arsenal’s lead over Manchester City was reduced to two points.
However, if Arsenal can win their final three league games before the World Cup against Nottingham Forest, Chelsea, and Wolves, they will have solidified their position when the division resumes just after Christmas.
Particularly the front three of Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus, and Bukayo Saka for Arsenal have been the team’s driving force. Along with six other players—Aaron Ramsdale, Ben White, William Saliba, Gabriel, Granit Xhaka, and Martin Odegaard—they have consistently represented Arteta in the league.
The team has maintained stability due to the lack of changes, but it may become problematic later in the season if Arsenal experiences burnout due to a demanding schedule that includes the World Cup in the midst of the season.
Arsenal’s front line, where Arteta is likely to be forced to rely on his three starting for the bulk of the season, lacks the same depth as the defense and midfield. While Emile Smith Rowe has been injured and is unable to contribute on the left of the front three, Eddie Nketiah, Marquinhos, and Reece Nelson have occasionally entered the game.
Arteta could solve his depth issue in January. Raphinha, Cody Gakpo, and Mykhaylo Mudryk were all rumored as prospective transfers to the Emirates in the summer, but none of them ended up moving to north London.
The two players mentioned above who stayed with their respective clubs in the summer could pique the Gunners’ attention once more, while Wilfried Zaha, the star of Crystal Palace, could also be moving.
The end of the current campaign marks the expiration of his Selhurst Park contract, and the Gunners have been heavily connected with the Ivorian in the past.
