Arsenal are currently without a fit first-choice attacker, yet they opted not to explore the transfer market for free agents, a decision that could prove costly in their Premier League title race against Liverpool. With key players unavailable, the Gunners have struggled to maintain consistency, and their latest setback against West Ham highlighted their growing concerns in attack.
Last weekend, Arsenal fans were thrilled when their side secured a late victory against Leicester City, courtesy of two goals from Mikel Merino off the bench. Encouraged by his impact, Mikel Arteta rewarded the Spaniard with a start against West Ham, hoping for a similar performance. However, Arsenal failed to replicate that success and suffered a disappointing home defeat.
The loss exposed the extent to which injuries have disrupted the team. With no natural goal threat in attack, Arsenal lacked cutting edge in the final third and struggled to create clear chances. The absence of key attacking players has undoubtedly weakened the squad, and no one has been able to step up and fill the void.
Sky Sports’ Nick Wright highlighted how Arsenal’s struggles stem from their injury crisis, emphasising that any team would face similar difficulties with so many absentees. Speaking on Sky Sports, he said:
“It was no great surprise that they struggled in attack. Any side would without their four main attackers. The absences of Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, and Gabriel Jesus were keenly felt. The paucity of options available to Mikel Arteta was summed up by him sending on two left-backs, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Myles Lewis-Skelly, when chasing the game in the second half.”
Despite these setbacks, Arsenal must take responsibility for their situation. The club had the opportunity to strengthen the squad in January but chose not to, and they can no longer make excuses now that injuries have taken their toll. If they are to remain in contention for the title, they must find a way to adapt, with the remaining squad members stepping up in the crucial weeks ahead.
ADMIN COMMENT
So here are some simple rules which I must insist commenters follow….
You agree not to give any personal abuse to other Arsenal fans. Everyone is allowed to hold their own opinions even if you disagree with them. It COSTS NOTHING TO BE POLITE TO OTHER ARSENAL FANS.
We were never winning the title without injuries.
The squad wasn’t strong enough without injuries.
Signing or loaning nobody in January was criminal.
Heads should roll for that.
But maybe Stan is just happy to let things just carry on as any other season.
Let’s stop beating around the bush and get to the heart of the matter.
In closing the reporter says clearly: “Arsenal must take responsibility for their situation. The club had the opportunity to strengthen the squad in January but chose not to and can no longer make excuses now that injuries have taken their toll.”
No doubt about it, we screwed up big time! We weren’t serious about challenging Liverpool for the title.
The question is who is going to take responsibility for this major cockup?
Yet allot of fans defended us not buying anyone
I agree that is crazy!
It was negligent from the board to bring in no one, and delusional to defend that action or lack of action.
League was over once the window shut, and I’d be very surprised if we even beat PSV, given what we’ve seen post Hazertz thus far.
POST HAVERZ 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 we are wanting and needing to replace him because (and its common knowledge) he is a poor excuse of a striker. We were not winning anything with him.
Well we’re coping real well without him aren’t we?
I’ve gone through your comments with others, and I’ve realized you just troll people.
The amount of lies is off the charts!
TMJW 5th coming.
I answer opinion, not target people like you are doing. Idiot!!!!
Both sides of the coin have their merits.
Buying in January has inflated costs and no club is going to let a performing player leave half way through the season.
Not bringing in a forward could cost a decent crack at the title.
The club have clearly prioritised spending more for a better forward at the end of the season.
The question is will we be in a position to win the title further down the track.
The title race is not over, but without a goalscoring forward it will be very difficult.
On top of all that Declan Rice was wearing Claret and Blue in that game.
Are we going to pretend this manager didn’t say he preferred a thin squad? Years later, you don’t have a squad, and you are trying to deflect blame.
When did Arteta say that?
I don’t think he said that but he copies Pep and Pep likes to work with 18 or 20 players, he has said that. Arteta doesn’t like to rotate that is for sure.
Can’t blame not having a fit first choice attacker.
West Ham:
Antonio – Long term absence, CAR CRASH
Fullkrug – Been out for the majority of the season.
Summerville – out till April/May
All first teamers.
But Bowen and Kudus are better than the injured players mentioned and would be first team picks for us?We are currently bereft of real quality up front because our squad is completely unbalanced and who is responsible for that situation?I do not blame the Owners who have supported our Management with funding and can hardly be held accountable for the errors of judgement made by those at the front edge of the football operation.For some time I have been lamenting over our weakness on the left flank of our defence which was fully exposed yesterday and will be targeted for sure in the weeks ahead.If an old man can see this obvious weakness, why is it beyond our Manager ,with his professional wisdom to do so.Could it be that this would be an admission of failure in terms of his inversion tactics and the players he has recruited to execute them?
Bowen is a player we must have
Agree, but we will make excuses for WH missing their strikers. And find one for us.
The injuries are a perfect excuse to use for poor management. Lets ignore how we lost the title in the first 10 games. Let hide behind the fact our football and creativity was dire, is dire. Backed up by Stoke city style corners that bailed us out numerous times. And now are NOT. Let ignore that season after season we exit the cup competitions at a very early stage, time after time. I HATE the way Arteta sets thecteam up, plays boring negative football (that is the biggest factor to our failures) that is never ever going to win anything ever. The guy is a complete fraud and gets found out EVERY season.
Our football is awful to watch!!!! If you enjoy watching this shambles then good luck to you.
Can,’t say the same about Newcastle who are blowing Forrest away with their two overlapping full backs and their pace up front.I remember when we used to play like that and excite our fans.
You don’t loose tittle in the first ten games!!!! For Goodness sake….be real!!
We did!!!! And we haven’t pulled it back.
Get REAL!!!! FOR GOIDNESS SAKE!!!!!
Let’s stop pretending Gunners, we had it coming. With the financial resources at our disposal and twice falling short by only two points any seriously intentioned club would have recruited last summer. Ibrahimovic did even warn his fellow Swedes that we are not trophy winners, not to ever join Arsenal. We are just wishful thinkers.