Mikel Arteta’s attacking injury crisis at Arsenal is a reality he was given fair warning about.
Arsenal’s forward line has been hit hard with season-long injuries to Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus, along with Bukayo Saka‘s absence since December and Gabriel Martinelli’s current spell on the sidelines, denting the club’s Premier League title ambitions.
They now trail league leaders Liverpool by 13 points, although they have one game in hand. The squad depth was already a concern when Arteta opted for a last-minute loan deal for Raheem Sterling from Chelsea back in August, with the former England international failing to impress thus far.
The departures of Eddie Nketiah to Crystal Palace for £25m, Emile Smith Rowe to Fulham for an approximate fee of £27m, and Reiss Nelson’s loan move to the Cottagers, further exacerbated the issue, despite praise from Arsenal legend Alan Smith for the money raised by these exits.
Speaking to CasinoApps back in September, the ex-striker acknowledged the financial wisdom behind the sales. “Arsenal have generated good money for the academy boys,” he noted, via the Mirror. “Nketiah and Smith Rowe left for good sums, while Nelson went out on loan. That gave them an opportunity to raise some much-needed funds because of the new financial rules that the clubs have to adhere to.
“I do think the Gunners are a bit light through the middle in the striker position. Gabriel Jesus keeps on picking up injuries – he’s out at the moment – and we don’t know how close he is to fitness. It’s difficult to rely on him. If he is injured, then you’ve just got to have what you have, which isn’t ideal.”
(Image: David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Despite the club being linked with forwards like Newcastle’s Alexander Isak and RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko last summer, and more recently seeing a £60million bid for Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins turned down in January, Arsenal haven’t reinforced their attack.
“In an ideal world, Arteta would have brought somebody in, but the striker he wanted wasn’t available,” Smith added. “That is the one part of the Arsenal team where you worry about depth. I have my fingers crossed that Havertz doesn’t get injured.”
Arsenal fans are now grappling with the reality of potentially another season without a title despite Mikel Arteta overhauling the squad’s culture since his arrival, with the Champions League likely presenting the only opportunity left to add to his FA Cup success in 2019.
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