The clamour for Arsenal to sign a striker this month is growing ever louder, but their need for a new winger should not be ignored.
The Gunners have been looking to add a wide player for the past 18 months and they had multiple bids rejected for Raphinha in the summer of 2022.
They have since shown an interest in Wolves’ Pedro Neto and this time last year were ready to spend big on Mykhailo Mudryk.
Eventually a £26million deal to sign Leandro Trossard from Brighton was completed, but Arsenal’s need for an out-and-out winger remains and they are paying the price.
Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli have been excellent over the past 18 months, however both players are now experiencing a dip in form.
The pair combined for Arsenal’s goal at Fulham on Sunday, but that should not cover up the struggles they have experienced.
The goal was Saka’s first in six matches, while Martinelli has scored just twice in 18 Premier League appearances. Last year, he managed 15 in 36 games.
Most alarming, though, was that Martinelli did not attempt a single take-on during Sunday’s defeat to Fulham. For a player whose game is built on running at defenders, it was a worrying statistic.
The obvious solution would be for Arteta to rest and rotate his wingers, but there is a lack of depth.
Reiss Nelson may have impressed off the bench with some bright cameos, however he has not started a League game since July 2020.
Emile Smith Rowe, so vital during the early days of Arteta’s tenure, has struggled with injuries and was an unused substitute on Sunday.
Trossard is the strongest option Arteta has, but his style is very different from Martinelli and Saka. The Belgian brings control, however he does not possess the pace and drive to open teams up from out wide and his best games for Arsenal have come as a false nine.
It is hard to argue against Arteta’s side not needing a new No9, especially after this run of three games without a win, but depth is needed out wide too.
In an ideal world a player would be signed who can cover both roles, although the arrival of a new striker would allow Gabriel Jesus to shift out wide when required. The Brazilian did so during his time at Manchester City and has done so on occasion for Arsenal.
The challenge for Arsenal is that January is a notoriously difficult market to shop in and they are hamstrung by financial rules.
The club must sell before they can buy, which is why the departure of someone like Nelson could be so important as it would give Arsenal the ability to enter the market.
Right now, however, Arteta must continue to work with what he has got and hope Martinelli and Saka get back to their best soon. Arsenal’s title bid depends on it.
