Get the latest insights from The Radar, a Sky Sports column where Nick Wright combines data and opinion to shed light on key Premier League stories. This week, we delve into Arsenal's attacking woes and explore potential solutions.
Despite their first-leg lead against Sporting, Arsenal's Champions League quarter-final second leg highlighted their defensive solidity but also their struggling attack. Mikel Arteta will hope to replicate the defensive performance against Manchester City on Sunday, but their attacking issues must be addressed. Arteta's approach has been under scrutiny, with questions about his perceived risk aversion and its impact on the team's fluency and flair.
The manager's options are limited by injuries, including Bukayo Saka's absence and Martin Odegaard's doubtfulness. However, the need for changes in forward areas became clear against Sporting, where the front three of Noni Madueke, Gabriel Martinelli, and Viktor Gyokeres failed to deliver. This trio has only won two of the last six games they've started together, and their selection leaves Arsenal lacking the technical security to retain possession high up the pitch. According to Opta, Gyokeres has lost possession 246 times in the Premier League this season, with the second-highest rate of touches ending in possession losses among outfield players.
Martinelli and Madueke also rank high on this list. In contrast, Manchester City doesn't have a single player over the 30% mark. The introduction of substitutes like Kai Havertz, Leandro Trossard, and Gabriel Jesus improved Arsenal's control, completing 89% of their passes. Havertz, in particular, could provide the outlet Arsenal needs, having endured an injury-hit season but showing reminders of his effectiveness as a focal point against Sporting.
His deployment up front on Sunday could help give Arsenal's attack the balance it has often lacked. Meanwhile, Granit Xhaka is preparing to face Unai Emery, the manager who stripped him of the captaincy in 2019.
Xhaka's return from an ankle injury has been crucial to Sunderland's upturn in form, and he can strengthen his case for signing of the season at Villa Park. Other key matches include Chelsea loanee Tyrique George potentially exploiting Liverpool's vulnerability to counter-attacks and the Roberto De Zerbi derby between Spurs and Brighton.