Unraveling Arsenal's Attacking Conundrum and Arteta's Potential Solutions

Welcome to The Radar, a Sky Sports column where Nick Wright uses data and opinion to explore key Premier League stories. This week, we're examining Arsenal's attacking struggles and how Mikel Arteta can address them. Despite their first-leg lead against Sporting, Arsenal's attack has been underwhelming, and Arteta will hope to rectify this against Manchester City on Sunday. With a six-point lead in the Premier League, Arsenal have the upper hand, but they'll need to find offensive solutions to secure a positive outcome. Arteta's approach has been scrutinized, with some questioning his perceived risk aversion and reliance on set-pieces. Injuries have limited Arteta's options, but the need for changes in forward areas is clear. The front three of Noni Madueke, Gabriel Martinelli, and Viktor Gyokeres hasn't worked, and their selection leaves Arsenal lacking technical security to retain possession. According to Opta, Gyokeres has lost possession 246 times in the Premier League this season, with a 43.5% rate of touches ending in possession losses. Martinelli and Madueke also rank high on the list. Manchester City, by contrast, don'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. Arteta may be forced to make changes to his team selection, with Madueke a doubt for Sunday's game. Havertz could provide the outlet Arsenal lacks, having endured an injury-hit season. He has been effective as a focal point, winning aerial duels and completing passes. His deployment up front on Sunday could help give Arsenal's attack the balance it has lacked. Manchester City's quality means Arsenal will need to fall back on their defense, but raising the technical level of their attack could hold the key to a positive result.