What's Behind Arsenal's Struggling Attack and How Can Arteta Revive It?

Welcome to The Radar, a Sky Sports column where Nick Wright uses data and opinion to shed light on key stories from the Premier League. This week, we're focusing on Arsenal's issues in attack and how Mikel Arteta can address them. Despite having a six-point lead at the top of the Premier League, Arsenal's performance against Sporting was a reminder that their attack needs improvement. Arteta's approach has come under scrutiny, with some arguing that his perceived aversion to risk has come at the cost of fluency and flair on the ball. The team's reliance on set-pieces and defense has also been questioned. Injuries have limited Arteta's options, but the need for changes in forward areas became clear against Sporting. The front three of Noni Madueke, Gabriel Martinelli, and Viktor Gyokeres has not worked, and Arsenal have only won two of the last six games they've started together. The trio's 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 a possession loss rate of 43.5%. Martinelli and Madueke also rank high on the list, at 38.9% and 36.1% respectively. Manchester City, by contrast, do not have a single player over the 30% mark. The game changed with Arsenal's substitutions, as players like Kai Havertz, Leandro Trossard, and Gabriel Jesus completed 89% of their passes, allowing Arsenal to play in Sporting's half during the closing stages. Arteta may now be forced to change his team selection, with Madueke a doubt for Sunday's game and Dowman potentially coming in. Havertz can give Arsenal the outlet they lacked, 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 lacked, while also giving Gyokeres the chance to make an impact as a substitute. Manchester City's quality means Arsenal will need to fall back on their defense for periods of the game, but raising the technical level of their attack could hold the key to emerging with a positive result.