Arsenal's surprise solution to Arteta's biggest problem

Robin Bairner

• Updated: 8 Jan 2024 11:38 GMT
• 6 min read

Mika Biereth has emerged as a potential addition to Arsenal’s first-team squad for the remainder of the Premier League season, with rumours building that manager Mikel Arteta could be about to recall the forward following his blistering start to the season on loan at Motherwell.

After the Gunners were eliminated from the FA Cup by Liverpool 2-0 following a wasteful showing, the desperation of the Emirates club to find a goal scorer has only increased.

Numerous big chances were missed as Arteta's side suffered a frustrating home loss on Sunday.

Their solution could be found in Motherwell.

Biereth has been with the Gunners since joining from Fulham’s academy in 2022 but has shown signs that he may be able to take a step up into the first team thanks to his form in the Scottish Premiership.

The 20-year-old forward has been on the fringes of things at the Emirates for some time and has been an unused substitute by Arteta on four occasions, and the Spaniard is clearly keeping close tabs on the player.

Biereth surprisingly appeared in images of Arsenal training over the weekend, setting alight rumours that he could be about to return from Motherwell, who are presently on their winter break.

With the Gunners lacking a natural scorer, the London-born Denmark U21 international has shown the type of form that has made him worthy of a look.

Biereth’s Motherwell record

A knee injury has restricted him to just 1,045 minutes of action this season, yet he has profited from his game time richly by scoring six goals and creating five more. Decisive once every 95 minutes he has been on the field on average, Biereth’s has shone in a struggling team.

His instincts as a centre forward have been impressive, too. He has profited from crosses into the box in a variety of manners, striking with near-post runs across defenders but also by holding his position at the back post. His composure when in scoring positions has been admirable, notably scoring a brilliant winner on debut against Hins. His work off the ball has been impressive, particularly in a defensive sense.

Biereth certainly passes the eye test while data analytics experts SciSports rate him among the best-performing centre forwards in the Scottish Premiership this season.

Biereth vs Scottish Premiership forwards

Of course, there is something of a gap to be bridged in quality if he is to make the step up to the Arsenal team, but there is no doubt he is worth monitoring.

Biereth is on loan at Motherwell until May 2024, but it is believed that the Gunners are able to sever the deal this month should they see fit.

Liverpool have already acted to recall youngster Owen Beck amid their left-back injury crisis after the young Welshman shone for Dundee, and now it might be Arsenal’s turn to bring back a promising youngster from Scotland in the form of Biereth.