Arteta Eyes Arsenal's Goal-Scoring Woes: Will a New Striker Arrive in January?

Mikel Arteta acknowledges that Arsenal's performance in front of goal has been below par. However, he emphasises that the club has no plans to acquire a striker in January. The 2-2 draw against Tottenham at home saw Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah start, but they faced criticism for their inability to score.

Arsenal has netted a total of 11 goals in the Premier League this season, slightly below the expected goal count of 11.38. However, Arteta highlighted that they have been successful in finding the back of the net through various means.

Nonetheless, the team acknowledges that they should have capitalised on the numerous opportunities they have generated and scored more goals.

Despite reports suggesting Arteta's interest in signing Ivan Toney upon his return from suspension in January, the Arsenal manager dismissed the idea of recruiting a new striker, stating, "We are not considering it at all. We have talented forwards, although we do have a few injuries at the moment. Nevertheless, we will persist with our current squad."

Arteta specifically mentioned Toney as an example when discussing whether the traditional No 9 position in football is becoming less common, stating that it is actually making a comeback. He also highlighted other players such as Harry Kane, Erling Haaland, and Aleksandar Mitrovic as examples of prolific goal scorers.

Frank: Why should we sell Toney?

Brentford host Arsenal in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday and, although Toney remains unavailable due to his gambling ban, the striker was a topic of conversation for Thomas Frank.

Toney has recently switched his representation and openly discussed the possibility of leaving Brentford earlier this season. However, when questioned about a potential departure in January, Frank responded, "I'm unsure. My sole focus is on tomorrow's game [Wednesday]."

"We are making preparations for upcoming transfer windows and are ready for any circumstances that may arise. Let's wait and see."

I prefer to retain him rather than sell. I value having my top players. I firmly insist on not selling him. Ivan possesses exceptional skills, making him a world-class player. Consequently, there is no logical reason to part with such a high-caliber player.

I desire for him to continue playing for our team until his contract expires, but ultimately, the decision lies outside my jurisdiction.

Merson: Arsenal may need Toney in January

I've always said it from day one - Eddie Nketiah is not going to win you the Premier League.

A proper center forward is necessary. The result of drawing 2-2 with Tottenham cannot solely be blamed on Nketiah. However, considering there are still 32 games left and the upcoming Champions League matches, I doubt he can elevate the team to the next level. In fact, I don't believe Gabriel Jesus can do so either.

My confidence in Arsenal winning on Sunday diminished when I saw the lineup. I was particularly concerned with Jesus playing on the wing, Nketiah leading the attack, and Fabio Vieira, who I don't consider to be good enough. And to top it off, when Declan Rice was substituted and Jorginho came on, my worries amplified.

The Arsenal team on Sunday appeared weak considering the demanding schedule of the Champions League. Despite acknowledging the need for a center forward, the question remains: who is available?

In January, they only have Ivan Toney as an option, as there is a scarcity of quality center forwards globally. They are becoming increasingly rare.

I recently overheard Michael Owen discussing the topic. In the past, players like him, Alan Shearer, Teddy Sheringham, and Robbie Fowler used to score 20 to 30 goals per season, yet they didn't receive numerous England caps. Ian Wright and Les Ferdinand were also in the same boat. Nowadays, if you manage to score 20 goals in the Premier League, you earn a spot in the England team.

Toney possesses excellent skills such as ball control and aerial ability, making him a valuable player. Arsenal should consider pursuing him, although top-quality center forwards are in short supply.

If Arsenal were to suffer a defeat against Manchester City on October 8, their chances of winning the title would diminish significantly. They would find themselves trailing by seven points.

Many argue that there are still numerous games remaining. However, even if there were 600 games left, Arsenal would be unable to surpass Manchester City with their current seven-point advantage. This fact cannot be disregarded as Arsenal would only have one opportunity to face City, and it would be an away game. The upcoming match at the Emirates carries immense significance, as it could determine the fate of Arsenal's season.

Neville: Arsenal still missing the right forward

I prefer versatile forwards who can effectively operate on both the left and right sides of the field, but it is still crucial to have a couple of players in your team who possess that innate sense of anticipating where the ball will land.

Gone are the days of traditional poachers, but we still refer to individuals who possess a keen sense of positioning.

Throughout the years, while heeding the advice of Sir Alex Ferguson and the England coaches, it has become evident that forwards must make well-timed runs to outmaneuver defenders. However, it is also essential for them to acknowledge that if the ball is on the opposite side and crossed to the back post, they should be able to make a run into that specific area.

When the ball is flicked on, it is important to position yourself at the back post. I recall how Ian Wright would start his run from the six-yard box during corner kicks, as I used to mark him, and it was incredibly challenging. Wright would consistently peel around to the back post, ensuring that if the ball is glanced on - as it often is - he is present. Unfortunately, Nketiah failed to make that crucial run and was instead lingering outside.

In the game, there were important moments where Jesus outplayed [James] Maddison. It is crucial to always be active, observant, and have a sense of anticipation. Unfortunately, Arsenal seemed to lack these qualities. Despite my admiration for this Arsenal team, I believe they could achieve greatness, whether winning a title or finishing second and obtaining trophies, without a player like Jesus. However, during this particular game, it became evident that they were missing such a player.

Alan Smith pointed it out on commentary too and he knows far more than I do about playing up front.