Arteta ‘s Reluctance to Strengthen Arsenal’s Attack

As Mikel Arteta enters his 11th transfer window as Arsenal manager, a curious trend has emerged: a relative lack of investment in his forward line. Despite two-and-a-half years of competing for the Premier League title and a clear need for more goals, the Gunners’ attack remains an area with unanswered questions. This hesitancy to spend big on attackers stands in stark contrast to the club’s approach in other areas of the pitch.

Arteta has consistently maintained that Arsenal can succeed without relying on a superstar striker like Mohamed Salah or Erling Haaland. He champions a collective approach to goalscoring, spreading the responsibility across his attacking unit. Indeed, Arsenal’s goals have come from a variety of sources this season, with 8 different players scoring 3 or more goals in the Premier League.

However, a decline in open-play chances over the past two seasons has cast doubt on this philosophy. In the 2022/23 season, Arsenal created 1.87 expected goals (xG) per 90 minutes from open play, a figure which has dropped to 1.65 this season. This suggests a decreasing reliance on intricate build-up play and a heavier dependence on set-pieces and individual moments of brilliance.

A closer look at Arteta’s transfer activity reveals a stark contrast in spending between defense and attack. Of the £714 million spent on 30 players during his tenure, only £140 million (19%) has been allocated to forwards. This figure is dwarfed by the £299.2 million invested in defenders and the £275.4 million spent on midfielders. This disparity is even more pronounced when compared to their rivals. Liverpool, for example, have spent close to £300 million on attacking players in the same period, including the record-breaking signing of Darwin Núñez.

Furthermore, the actual number of attacking signings is surprisingly low. Arteta has brought in just six wingers and strikers in five years, including a free transfer for the aging Willian and a minimal investment in Marquinhos, who has barely featured for the first team. This cautious approach is further highlighted by the fact that Arsenal have made more signings in the goalkeeping department (5) than in attack during Arteta’s reign.

This reluctance to invest heavily in attack raises questions about Arteta’s long-term vision for Arsenal. While his faith in a collective approach is admirable, the lack of a consistent, prolific goal scorer could hinder their ability to consistently challenge for major honors. The statistics support this concern, with Arsenal’s conversion rate from open play dropping from 15.4% in 2022/23 to 12.9% this season.

The signing of Kai Havertz for £65 million, initially intended as a midfielder, further exemplifies this conundrum. While Havertz has been deployed as a striker, his output has yet to justify the hefty price tag. He has scored just 6 goals in 19 Premier League appearances this season, significantly lower than the output of top strikers at rival clubs.

As the January transfer window progresses, it remains to be seen whether Arteta will finally address this imbalance and invest significantly in a top-class forward. The decision could prove crucial in determining whether Arsenal can finally break their title drought and establish themselves as a dominant force in English football.