Mikel Arteta transfer call backfires as Arsenal's glaring weakness exposed

30 January 2024 , 22:13

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Mikel Arteta's decision to not sign a striker this month may backfire on Arsenal

Arsenal's first-half display away at Nottingham Forest has left many pondering why the Gunners did not sign a striker during the January transfer window.

Mikel Arteta's men certainly dominated proceedings at the City Ground and by the time the interval came around, Arsenal boasted 81 per cent possession but managed to muster up just one shot on target. For all of their dominance in Forest's defensive third, the Gunners rarely tested opposition goalkeeper Matt Turner.

Considering Turner was an Arsenal player as recently as this summer and has shown he struggles to deal with shots from distance, many expected the Gunners to pepper the Forest goal. However, the reality was in stark contrast and Arteta was left watching on in frustration from his technical area.

The toothless attacking performance is a prime example of why so many fans have demanded attacking reinforcements to bolster Arsenal's title charge. For all of Gabriel Jesus' technical ability, he has managed just four league goals so far this term.

The Brazilian was guilty of wasting Arsenal's best chance of the night soon into the second half. Jesus found the ball at his feet after a neat exchange between Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard, but could only rattle his strike against the upright.

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Soon after, he smashed a volley high over the Forest goal after his own skill created an opening for him. Jesus did eventually find the back of the net, though it came about in fortunate circumstances after some dismal goalkeeping from Turner.

Brentford ace Ivan Toney was relentlessly linked with a move to the Emirates all month, but Arteta was quick to quash talk of a new striker fairly early on in the window. The Arsenal boss did bemoan how thin his current crop is during his most recent presser.

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Gabriel Jesus was guilty of some poor finishing despite his goal against Nottingham Forest (Getty Images)

He claimed: "We have one of the thinnest squads in the League, that's for sure. And when you talk about the numbers, especially in certain areas, we are really thin.

"It wasn't possible [to do any January deals]. And now we didn't have the capacity to improve the team in the way that we think we want to improve it, so we decided not to do something yet."

Bukayo Saka added a second for the Gunners in the 72nd minute, but the first-half attacking display will concern Arteta ahead of the weekend showdown against title rivals Liverpool. To create chances and miss them is one thing, but to lack threat altogether like Arsenal did during the first half against Forest is even more troubling.

Josh O'Brien