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

Welcome to The Radar, a Sky Sports column that combines data and opinion to shed light on key stories from the Premier League. This week, we're examining Arsenal's attack, which has been underperforming, and exploring how Mikel Arteta can turn things around. Arsenal's recent Champions League quarter-final second leg against Sporting showcased their defensive solidity, but also highlighted the need for improvement in their attack. With a six-point lead at the top of the Premier League, the pressure is on Manchester City to win their upcoming match, but Arsenal's lack of offensive solutions could hinder their chances of a positive outcome. Arteta's approach has been scrutinized, with some questioning whether his risk-averse strategy has come at the cost of fluency and flair on the ball. The team's reliance on set-pieces and defense has also been criticized. Injuries have limited Arteta's options, with Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard among those sidelined. However, the need for changes in forward areas became apparent against Sporting, where the front three of Noni Madueke, Gabriel Martinelli, and Viktor Gyokeres struggled to facilitate smooth football. The trio has only won two of the last six games they've started together, and their selection leaves Arsenal lacking 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 rate of 43.5 percent, the second-highest among outfield players. Martinelli and Madueke also rank high on the list, with rates of 38.9 percent and 36.1 percent, respectively. In contrast, Manchester City does not have a single player above the 30 percent mark. The introduction of substitutes like Kai Havertz, Leandro Trossard, and Gabriel Jesus improved Arsenal's control, completing 89 percent of their passes. Arteta may be forced to change his team selection, with Dowman potentially replacing Madueke, who picked up an injury against Sporting. Havertz, who has endured an injury-hit season, could provide the outlet Arsenal lacks, having scored the goal that settled the tie in the first leg and winning more aerial duels than any other player on the pitch. His deployment up front on Sunday could help give Arsenal's attack the balance it has often lacked. Manchester City's quality means Arsenal will inevitably need to fall back on their defense, but raising the technical level of their attack could hold the key to a positive result.