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

Welcome to The Radar, a regular Sky Sports column where Nick Wright combines data analysis and expert opinion to shed light on key stories from the Premier League. This week, we're examining the issues with Arsenal's attack and exploring potential solutions for Mikel Arteta. Arsenal's recent Champions League quarter-final second leg against Sporting saw them rely on their defense to secure a spot in the last four, but their performance also highlighted the need for improvement in their attack. Arteta will be hoping for a similar defensive solidity against Manchester City on Sunday, but he'll also be aware that his team's attacking woes need to be addressed. Despite having a six-point lead at the top of the Premier League, Arsenal's inability to create scoring opportunities could prove costly against a high-quality opponent like City. Arteta's approach has come under scrutiny, with some critics arguing that his risk-averse tactics have come at the expense of flair and creativity on the ball. The team's reliance on set-pieces and their lack of open-play chance creation have raised questions about whether they're neglecting other aspects of their attacking game. Personnel issues, including injuries to key players like Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard, have also limited Arteta's options. However, the need for changes in forward areas was evident against Sporting, where the front three of Noni Madueke, Gabriel Martinelli, and Viktor Gyokeres struggled to create scoring opportunities. The trio has only won two of the last six games they've started together, and their selection has left 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 touches-ending-in-possession-losses rate of 43.5%. Martinelli and Madueke also rank high on this list, with rates of 38.9% and 36.1%, respectively. In contrast, Manchester City do not have a single player with a rate above 30%. The introduction of substitutes like Kai Havertz, Leandro Trossard, and Gabriel Jesus helped improve Arsenal's control and technical quality against Sporting. Havertz, in particular, could provide the outlet that Arsenal have been missing, having endured an injury-hit season. He has shown his effectiveness as a focal point, winning aerial duels and completing passes at a higher rate than Gyokeres. His deployment up front on Sunday could help give Arsenal's attack the balance it has lacked, while also allowing Gyokeres to make an impact as a substitute. Manchester City's quality means that Arsenal will inevitably need to rely 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. Other key storylines this week include Granit Xhaka's return from injury and his upcoming reunion with Unai Emery, who stripped him of the captaincy in 2019. Sunderland, meanwhile, will be looking to build on their recent form when they face Aston Villa on Sunday. Chelsea loanee Tyrique George could be an option for Everton to exploit Liverpool's vulnerability to counter-attacks in the Merseyside derby.