If a good opportunity arises in the final stages of the transfer window, Arsenal will certainly seize it. Mikel Arteta indicated on Saturday evening, after his team’s victory at Aston Villa, that he would like to add another option up front.
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At Villa Park, Arsenal faced a challenging situation as they had to play without Gabriel Jesus, who was sidelined due to a groin injury.
His absence was a significant blow for the team, as Jesus is a key player who offers both creativity and a goal-scoring threat. With Jesus unavailable, manager Mikel Arteta was left with limited options in attack, having only one recognized striker on the bench: Eddie Nketiah. This lack of depth became more concerning given the speculation around Nketiah’s potential transfer to Nottingham Forest, which would leave Arsenal even more short-handed up front.
Arteta acknowledged the squad's lack of depth in the attacking department, especially following the departure of key players in previous transfer windows and injuries that have limited their choices. Speaking to Sky Sports, he expressed his concerns: "The squad is a bit thin in that area, and if we can do something, we will." This statement underlined Arsenal's intention to strengthen their attack before the transfer window closes, emphasizing the club's proactive stance in the market despite limited recent activity. So far, Arsenal's only acquisition this summer has been Riccardo Calafiori, a left-footed defender brought in from Bologna. Calafiori was signed after an impressive season in Serie A and outstanding performances at the European Championships, highlighting Arsenal's focus on defensive solidity.
Despite the lack of reinforcements in the attacking positions, Arsenal managed to secure a 2-0 victory against Aston Villa, a team that had proven troublesome for them in the past season, where Arsenal lost both encounters. This victory marked a positive continuation of form, suggesting that Arteta's team could perform under pressure, even with a limited squad. Arteta's post-match comments on beIN Sports highlighted his satisfaction with Leandro Trossard, the Belgian forward who was brought on as a substitute and scored the opening goal. However, Trossard’s reaction to scoring was rather subdued. Arteta humorously remarked on Trossard’s consistent temperament, noting, "Leo's attitude is always like that. He's angry when he doesn't play, but he's also angry when he comes onto the field." Arteta appreciated Trossard’s competitive nature and commitment to contributing to the team, regardless of his personal frustrations, seeing it as a sign of his professionalism and passion.
In addition to Trossard's impact, another standout performance came from goalkeeper David Raya, whose remarkable reflex save denied Ollie Watkins a goal when the match was still goalless. This crucial save underscored Raya's sharp instincts and quick reactions, attributes that are vital for a goalkeeper in tight matches. Reflecting on his performance, Raya admitted he wasn’t entirely sure how he managed such an impressive save, describing it as a reflexive action that’s often practiced on the training ground. He modestly downplayed the save, saying, "It's one of those saves where you don't really know how you managed it. In training, it often goes like this: after one ball, you have to quickly get up for the next. I don't think this was my best save ever. It was just a reflex."
The performances of Trossard and Raya, combined with the tactical adjustments by Arteta, demonstrated Arsenal's resilience and ability to adapt under challenging circumstances. However, the team's thin squad depth remains a concern as they look to compete on multiple fronts this season. With the transfer window nearing its close, the club’s management faces a critical decision-making period to ensure they have the necessary reinforcements to maintain their competitive edge and navigate the demanding schedule ahead.
Updated: 10:02, 24 Aug 2024
