Do Arsenal lack attacking quality?

Do Arsenal lack attacking quality?

By Jonny Bray
It's strange what a difference a year can make in football.
If you'd asked me where Arsenal don't need to invest for much of the past three or four years, I would have said upfront.
And yet, with the end of the January transfer window fast approaching, The Gunners appear to be in desperate need of a goalscorer.
During the window, Mikel Arteta's side has been linked with several of the most exciting young forwards in European football.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin of Everton, Dušan Vlahović of ACF Fiorentina and Real Sociedad's Alexander Isak have all emerged as possible targets for The Gunners.
After the 0-0 draw against Burnley, Arteta made his intentions abundantly clear, stressing that Arsenal aren't good enough going forward.
He said: "We lacked quality in attack.
"It was what we planned, but the market is difficult and complicated.
"We knew that, but it's a lot to manage. We have to make the right decisions with players we believe are going to really help us and try to bring the ones that can take us to the next level."
But do Arsenal really need to strengthen going forward?

A disappointing January

The Gunners have scored just one goal in the month of January, despite such an impressive first half of the season.
It was particularly disappointing after an incredible December that saw Arteta's side score 22 times in seven games.
It's easy to forget that our wingers and midfielders were pitching in with goals and assists throughout that purple patch.
Gabriel Martinelli was lethal in front of goal, while there were returns to form for Martin Ødegaard, Bukayo Saka and Alexandre Lacazette.
So, it could be wise not to make a rash decision now, wait for the summer and see where things stand then.
However, there is a genuine chance of Champions League football next season if the Gunners move immediately and make the right call in the market.
It's easy to sympathise with Arteta in this situation, especially when it could be the difference between keeping his job and getting the sack at the end of the season.

What to do with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

One big issue Arteta has is the question of what to do with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
We've clearly missed having a proven goalscorer in a month where games have come fast, and chances have been few and far between.
If Arteta could get Aubameyang back on side, then he could prove to be a vital asset in the second half of the season.
If he can't, then selling him would really increase Arsenal's options in the transfer market.
But letting him rot at the club does nothing for anybody, and I'd rather let him leave for free now than spend another month picking up a paycheck for nothing.

Conclusion

Arsenal do lack an out and out goalscorer, that's for sure.
But signing one now is a considerable risk, particularly if the club cannot get rid of Aubameyang this month.
It's looking increasingly unlikely that they will be able to do so, and with time running out before the close of the window, it's hard to see a world where Aubameyang goes and Arsenal move quickly enough to pick up one of the top targets.But that might not be so bad, considering how impressive many of our young players have been out wide and in midfield.
Photo Credit: Getty Images

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