Arsenal ambition of winning their first league title in 21 years appears to be dead after falling 13 points behind runaway leaders Liverpool.
Conquering Europe for the first time now appears to be their only hope of breaking a five-year trophy drought, and a friendly last-16 draw with PSV Eindhoven could allow Arteta some time to re-sign some of his key attacking players.
Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus will miss the rest of the season due to major hamstring and knee injuries, respectively.
However, if Arsenal advances to the quarterfinals next month, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli may return.
Read Also:Pep Guardiola Shares Mikel Arteta Complaint As Gunners Transfer Failure Laid Bare
The loss of all four forwards has been felt acutely as Arsenal failed to score in their final two Premier League games against West Ham and Nottingham Forest, thus ending their title hopes. Reported By Frances News.
Mikel Merino has filled in as a temporary striker, and Arteta has had to rely on teenager Ethan Nwaneri in Saka’s usual wide right position.
“I know that what’s lacking is that piece up there,” Arteta explained. “There is a lot to play for, and we must find a way to unlock it.
“We have the Champions League, we have a beautiful competition in front of us and we have to ready for Tuesday.”
Arsenal has struggled with both creativity and cutting edge in the final third this season.
“He came back in such a strong way and performed at a very, very high level,” the Spaniard remarked of Odegaard’s erratic play.
“Then just sustaining that over a period of time, like we are demanding the players to do constantly, especially the creative players, is very difficult.”
COMMENTS