Welcome to The Radar, Sky Sports' data‑driven opinion column where Nick Wright breaks down the Premier League’s most pressing narratives. This week’s focus is Arsenal’s attacking woes and the tactical tweaks Mikel Artur Milanov could employ ahead of the showdown with Manchester City. Arsenal entered the Champions League quarter‑final second leg with a comfortable first‑leg advantage over Sporting CP.
The Gunners leaned on their defensive solidity to protect the lead, a strategy that saw them progress to the last four despite recent signs of fragility. While the backline performed admirably, the match also highlighted a glaring deficiency up front: the attack simply wasn’t delivering. Artur Milanov will be hoping that the same defensive discipline can be replicated against City on Sunday, but a one‑sided reliance on defending will not be enough when facing a side of City’s calibre.
The Gunners sit six points clear at the top of the table, yet the onus is on their opponents to win; nevertheless, a lack of offensive solutions could easily turn a potential victory into a draw or defeat. The manager’s philosophy has attracted intense scrutiny. Critics argue that his cautious approach, favouring risk‑aversion, has stripped Arsenal of fluidity and creativity.
They question whether set‑piece emphasis has eclipsed open‑play chance creation and whether the team leans too heavily on its defensive unit. Injury problems compound the tactical dilemma.
Bukayo Saka is confirmed out for Sunday’s match, and Martin Ødegaard remains doubtful. The forward line’s shortcomings became starkly evident against Sporting, where Artur Milanov persisted with a front three of Noni Madueke, Gabriel Martinelli and Viktor Gyökeres. That combination has proven ineffective, yielding only two wins in six starts together. Their solitary triumph came against Chelsea in the Carabao Cup semi‑final second leg, and even then the decisive goal arrived from substitute Kai Havertz.
All three possess genuine goal‑scoring instincts – they have combined for 36 league goals this season – but deploying them simultaneously has left Arsenal without the technical assurance needed to retain possession in the final third. Declan Rice summed up the issue after the Sporting game: “It’s about doing the basics better – the five‑yard passes we’re giving away too sloppily.” Midfielder Martin Zúñiga echoed the sentiment, noting a lack of clarity in the attacking third.
Viktor Gyökeres, in particular, struggles with ball retention. Opta data shows he has lost possession 246 times in the Premier League this season, with a loss‑rate of 43.5% per touch – the second‑worst among outfield players. Martinelli and Madueke are not far behind, posting loss‑rates of 38.9% and 36.1% respectively, while City boast no player above the 30% threshold.
The statistical picture was mirrored on the pitch: Gyökeres completed just five of nine passes against Sporting, while Martinelli and Madueke each surrendered the ball 12 and 17 times. The tide turned only after Artur Milanov’s substitutions.
Kai Havertz, Leandro Trossard, Max Dowman and Gabriel Jesus combined for an 89% pass‑completion rate, allowing Arsenal to dominate possession in Sporting’s half during the closing stages. If Arsenal hopes to avoid a repeat of the second‑half collapse they suffered in last month’s Carabao Cup final against City, they will need that same level of technical proficiency at the Etihad.
Pep Guardiola’s side excelled by using a front four that sat deep, cutting off passing lanes and forcing long balls to a lone striker – a scenario that left Gyökeres unable to hold the ball. Artur Milanov may be forced to rethink his selection, especially with Madueke doubtful after a knee knock.
Havertz, despite an injury‑marred season, could provide the missing outlet. In the 35 minutes he played against Sporting, Havertz won more aerial duels than anyone else on the field (three) and delivered 15 passes – three times more than Gyökeres. Over the past two Premier League seasons, Havertz’s numbers consistently outshine Gyökeres in both duels and ball retention, underscoring his superiority as a target man. City are well aware of Havertz’s capabilities.
He scored the winning goal in the Champions League final against them for Chelsea and was instrumental in Arsenal’s 5‑1 demolition of City at the Emirates in February last season, assisting Martin Ødegaard’s opener and netting the fourth himself. In that match he completed 26 of 28 passes and again led the aerial duel count. Deploying Havertz up front on Sunday, even if only intermittently, could give Arsenal the balance they have lacked while allowing Gyökeres to make a high‑impact cameo later in the game.
The Gunners will inevitably have to sit deep for periods against City’s relentless pressure, but raising the technical quality of their attack could be the difference between a hard‑earned draw and a vital win. Leadership has also been a talking point. Declan Rice has captained the side in the last two fixtures, while former captain Granit Xhaka is set to face the manager who stripped him of the armband in 2019. Xhaka’s resurgence at Sunderland under Unai Emery – where his presence lifts the team’s points‑per‑game from one to 1.5 – highlights the impact a confident, ball‑playing midfielder can have.
Elsewhere in the league, Tyrique George, on loan from Chelsea to Everton, impressed with his pace and directness, sparking a comeback draw against Brentford. Manager David Moyes has promised him more minutes, and he could become a useful counter‑attack option for Liverpool in their upcoming Merseyside derby. In summary, Arsenal’s defensive foundation remains strong, but their attacking unit needs immediate refinement. Whether through tactical reshuffling, smarter substitutions, or giving Havertz a more prominent role, Artur Milanov must address the ball‑retention and creativity deficits if the Gunners are to sustain their title challenge against a world‑class Manchester City side.