American star is the answer to one of Arsenal's biggest problems

Cameron Smith

• 12 Jan 2024 22:34 GMT
• 4 min read

Arsenal have endured a tricky festive period and are currently without a win in their last four games.

Mikel Arteta’s side have lost their last three matches in a row (vs West Ham United, Fulham and Liverpool) and have fallen from first to fourth in the Premier League table.

They’re only five points behind league leaders Liverpool as things stand, so Arsenal’s recent form is by no means a disaster, but it has exposed a few cracks in their squad.

The lack of attacking potency is clear for all to see, with Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus all declining in regards to their goal-scoring this season.

Last season, in the Premier League, Saka was scoring a goal every 228 minutes, Martinelli every 187 minutes and Jesus every 189 minutes.

This year, by comparison, Saka is scoring once every 278 minutes, Martinelli is only scoring once every 649 minutes and Jesus is at 313 minutes.

Therefore, the pursuit of Ivan Toney makes perfect sense given Jesus alone has only scored three Premier League goals this term. FootballTransfers has been told, however, that the Gunners have no intention of matching Brentford’s €116 million (£100m) asking price, which could scupper any hopes of a January deal.

Another issue comes in central midfield and the over-reliance on Declan Rice amid Thomas Partey’s injury struggles, while full-back is another major problem.

Benjamin White doesn’t look as impressive as last year, while left-back is a cause for concern.

Kieran Tierney is on loan at Real Sociedad, Jurrien Timber is injured, Oleksandr Zinchenko has been exposed defensively on a number of occasions and Jakub Kiwior doesn’t quite look comfortable there.

Arsenal need a new left-back

With Zinchenko, Arsenal have a left-back who suits the inverted role. With Kiwior, Arsenal have a more defensive left-back, which could allow White (or a new right-back addition) to advance into forward areas.

What they lack is a left-back with more overlapping potential and one that possesses excellent defending out wide; ideally someone who combines the two. The solution to that problem could come in the form of Fulham’s Antonee Robinson.

The United States of America international has been excellent for the Cottagers this campaign and has previously been admired by Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola.

Data analytics experts SciSports believe that a move to David Moyes’ West Ham would suit Robinson best, but the Hammers already have Emerson Palmieri in the position and the Italian has been excellent so far this season.

Behind West Ham come Manchester United and Arsenal. While Erik ten Hag’s side could pursue a deal for Robinson amid their injury crisis at left-back, Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia are both expected to return to full fitness soon, which could mean the USMNT star would become a third-choice pretty quickly at Old Trafford.

At Arsenal, however, he would provide Arteta with a profile that the Gunners are crying out for.

Zinchenko isn’t performing as well as last year and adding a natural left-back (rather than Kiwior) could allow the Spaniard to deviate his tactical blueprint depending on the opposition Arsenal are facing.

Robinson wouldn’t be able to tuck inside like Zinchenko, but he has a great engine and he’s an excellent active defender.

With an Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) of €32.3m, Robinson is the second-most valuable American player in the world (behind Christian Pulisic) and he looks ready for a step up.