Glaring Arsenal issue blamed on two stars who are "nowhere near" good enough

17 January 2024 , 02:00

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Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta needs more goals from his side (Image: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Arsenal stars Gabriel Martinelli and Martin Odegaard have been blamed for the Gunners' concerning lack of goals this season.

Mikel Arteta's side have been considerably less prolific this season, having failed to score in three of their 20 Premier League fixtures so far this term compared to only one at the same stage of last season. Arsenal's frustrating 2-0 defeat at home to Liverpool in the FA Cup last Sunday also saw them fail to hit the back of the net.

That made it a run of just one win in six games across all competitions, as fans and pundits cried out in unison for the Gunners to sign a forward before the January transfer window closes. But according to former England international Darren Bent, Arsenal's problems in front of goal come from not getting enough out of what Arteta already has at his disposal after a scintillating campaign last time out.

Speaking to Premier League Productions, Bent was asked whether Arsenal's most glaring issue comes from within. "It has to be," the ex-Tottenham, Aston Villa and Sunderland striker replied. "Martinelli, for instance, last season was fantastic. 15 goals (and now he's) nowhere near the levels.

"Odegaard, he got 15 goals last season and (now he's) nowhere near the levels. I think (Bukayo) Saka's numbers are similar (to last season). But he looks like he needs a rest. We are playing him every minute of every single game."

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Bent's argument certainly has weight behind it, as Brazilian winger Martinelli has only managed to bag two league goals after 18 games this term. Meanwhile, captain Odegaard currently trails his combined tally for goals and assists last season by a whopping 15.

Whether or not Arteta agrees, it seems that he won't be getting any help to bolster his attack in January anyway. Following an injury to No.9 Gabriel Jesus, the Gunners boss was asked if he'd be dipping into the transfer market for reinforcements.

Your turn! Do you agree with Darren Bent? Join the debate in the comments section.

Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Martinelli have been blamed for Arsenal's goalscoring issues (Rob Newell - CameraSport via Getty Images)

"At the moment it does not look realistic," Arteta told beIN Sports post-FA Cup exit. "What my job is, and what we have to do is improve our players and try to get better results with the players we have."

Arsenal were recently urged to sign in-form Newcastle striker Alexander Isak, who's often compared to Gunners legend Thierry Henry. "Isak was running in behind constantly [against Manchester City]. If I'm Arsenal, I'm going all out and buying him," former Manchester United centre-back Rio Ferdinand declared on his FIVE podcast.

Arsenal are back in Premier League action this Saturday, welcoming Crystal Palace to the Emirates for the 12:30 kick-off. Then it'll be another 10 days before they face Nottingham Forest away from home on January 30.

Nathan Ridley