Mikel Arteta has revealed what his Arsenal players have to do ahead of their trip to Fulham on New Year�s Eve. In their 2-0 defeat...
Mikel Arteta has revealed what his Arsenal players have to do ahead of their trip to Fulham on New Year�s Eve.
In their 2-0 defeat against West Ham United last time out, Arsenal matched an unwanted six-year record as their dysfunctional attack were heavily criticised.
The Gunners registered a whopping 30 shots on goal and according to Squawka, this was the first time any Premier League side had taken that many shots and lost in the same game since December 2017.
Despite dominating possession against the Hammers and making 77 touches in the opposition box, Mikel Arteta�s side rarely created any high-quality opportunities.
This was down to a lack of creative brilliance from the midfielders, particularly Leandro Trossard, who offered little on the ball, was not strong enough in his duels, and failed to offer a threat in behind with line-breaking runs from deep.
While the Belgian struggled to impact proceedings, Arteta�s front three of Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus were incredibly wasteful in the final third.
As such, calls to sign a new striker have been heightened with Ivan Toney linked, however, acquiring the Brentford hitman may not make a difference to their chances in front of goal as Jesus was starved of service against West Ham.
Indeed, despite squandering a few opportunities, his highest xG opportunity was a header with an xG value of 0.25.
Whilst it would be easy for Arteta to panic after watching his side struggle in front of goal, he has urged his players and supporters to remain calm ahead of their trip to Fulham.
Mikel Arteta backs his players to take their chances
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, he said: �It�s no panic, it�s about trying to do more, do better and win games,
�If the team plays like this, they are going to win lots of games.
�It�s a record [for touches in the box], so I don�t think there are many teams in the league that have done that for many years. That�s something very positive I think.
�Without a spark, you don�t generate what the team generates [against West Ham], it�s impossible. But it�s the final thing, the final touch, the final action that puts the ball in the net or not, and that�s what we need.�
After recording a whopping xG of 2.79 without scoring in that defeat and setting a Premier League record for the most touches in the opposition box, Arsenal did everything but score.
And Arteta believes that continuing to generate such a threat in the final third will only yield positive results.
It would certainly help if his front three rediscovered their ruthlessness at the top end of the pitch.
Last season Saka, Martinelli and Jesus had a hand in 62 of their 88 Premier League goals.
This term, however, that trio have only scored or assisted a combined 18 goals in the top flight.
Given the quality they all possess, Arteta will need them to deliver more regularly if they are to win the title.
Arsenal close out 2023 with a trip to Craven Cottage on New Year�s Eve as they attempt to keep within touching distance of Liverpool at the top.
