Arsenal on the brink of CRISIS as Arteta pays price for transfer inaction

Robin Bairner

• 8 Jan 2025 05:06 CST
• 4 min read

Arsenal suffered a first defeat in 13 games when they lost 2-0 to Newcastle in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday, leading to a frustration from supporters.

While this may seem overblown, the reaction was understandable and points to a potential crisis brewing at the Emirates Stadium – one that is of the club’s own making.

Mikel Arteta lamented his lack of firepower following the fixture, during which Arsenal generated more than 3xG yet failed to find the net. Kai Havertz and Gabriel Martinelli both passed up excellent opportunities as the lack of efficiency in the attack was again evident.

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“That was the biggest difference in the game. From any other aspect, we were the better team. But it’s about scoring goals. They managed with the chances that they had,” Arteta told Sky Sports, recognising the need for a sharper presence in front of goal.

“We had chances. We had a one vs one situation with the keeper – the biggest chance in the game for sure. In a semi-final, you have to be clinical. We missed that today considering what we produced.

“It’s always tough. The team reacted, was willing. We tried in various ways. We generated a lot of situations but it’s true, they defended their box very well. We can do better, with our decision making, the timing of our shooting.”

Same old Arsenal

This has been a familiar failing for Arsenal over the years and one that should have been addressed by now. Bukayo Saka’s excellent form on the wing helped paper over the cracks, and after the England winger was virtually an ever-present for two years, his absence is now being keenly felt.

Of course, one of the other areas that Arsenal have focused their recruitment efforts on has been a backup for Saka.

They have been told to pay top dollar to sign in these areas. Up front, Viktor Gyokeres, Victor Osimhen, Alexander Isak and Benjamin Sesko were all studied last season. Each was given a price tag in the region of €100m, putting the Gunners off.

Arteta has run into similar issues in the attacking midfield area but is now paying a price for this action.

Winning silverware promises to be a major challenge. Although active in four competitions, turning a 2-0 deficit around in the Carabao Cup looks tough in Newcastle, while Liverpool are showing no signs of giving up their comfortable advantage at the top of the Premier League – the one that Gooners really want.

And yet Arsenal should be closer. Points have been dropped over the last month against Fulham, Everton and Brighton – all teams that with a clinical attack would be better. These draws could be the difference between the Premier League title and another frustrating near miss, which would be the continuation of an all-too-familiar story.

Arteta on his own

Now Arteta faces a major dilemma – and he does so without the aid of trusty sporting director Edu, who resigned in November and has still not been replaced.

Realistically, one major signing in January is the most Arsenal can hope for, so do they move for a striker or a winger – or do they refuse to pay the inflated mid-season prices and keep their powder dry until the summer and risk an inefficient attack costing them silverware?

There is no perfect solution. Signing forwards for big money is a notoriously hazardous undertaking, especially at this point in the campaign, but it feels like Arsenal have to do something to change the momentum.

This is a team and a manager at a crossroads. What Arsenal and Arteta do in the weeks ahead will define the campaign, and perhaps even the legacy of a manager fans want to take them to the next level but are starting to harbour doubts over his ability to.