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

Welcome to The Radar, a Sky Sports column where Nick Wright combines data and opinion to shed light on key Premier League stories. This week, the focus is on Arsenal's attack, which has been underperforming despite their lead in the league. Their recent Champions League quarter-final win against Sporting showcased their defensive solidity but also highlighted the need for improvement in their attack. Mikel Arteta's approach has been scrutinized, with questions about his perceived risk aversion and reliance on set-pieces rather than open-play chance creation. The team's personnel issues, including injuries to key players like Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard, have further complicated the situation. The front three of Noni Madueke, Gabriel Martinelli, and Viktor Gyokeres has not been effective, with the trio struggling to retain possession and create scoring opportunities. Arteta may need to make changes to his lineup, potentially including the inclusion of Kai Havertz, who has shown promise as a target man. Havertz's ability to hold up the ball and bring others into play could provide a much-needed boost to Arsenal's attack. As they prepare to face Manchester City, Arteta will need to find a way to balance his team's defense with a more potent attack if they are to emerge with a positive result. Other notable storylines include Granit Xhaka's return to form for Sunderland and the upcoming derby matches, including the Merseyside derby between Everton and Liverpool.