Arsenal: A familiar problem is back, and it’s not the defense

Say all you want about the defensive issues, but Arsenal have another familiar problem that needs to be fixed even sooner.

Arsenal had a lot of problems to address across the Unai Emery changeover, and defense is rightfully at the top of everyone’s to-do list. But a problem that emerged last year is emerging yet again this year, and it might be even more troubling.

We all know what the Gunners’ biggest strength is—our strikers. No other team in Europe has the combined quality that Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang provide. But the thing about strikers is… if they aren’t striking, they aren’t at their best.

Arsenal aren’t taking a lot of shots. Which will always be a concern, mostly for Aubameyang, because he needs opportunities to be at his best. He isn’t a sharp-shooter, he needs opportunities.

And right now, those opportunities aren’t coming.

The Gunners rank 15th in the Premier League in shots per match at 10.7. 15th. And for comparison, they are doing quite well in nearly every other category. In dribbles completed, a problem last year, they rank second. That’s awesome.

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But shooting is kind of a big thing, and as it stands, there aren’t enough. And that may well come down to the problem that sprouted last year—a lack of chances. Arsenal are tied for tenth in chances created, while the likes of Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea, Tottenham, round out the top of the rankings.

Conversely, in shots on target, the Gunners rank sixth which, while still not good, shows that, when they do shoot, they shoot well. Which is just an added impetus to shoot more, because if so many other things are going right, then putting in that final piece of the puzzle, that frustrating lack of chances for strikers, should solve the puzzle.

It’s probably just a matter of time. A lot of top clubs have had an offensive breakout match and the Gunners just haven’t yet. They have the pieces though, unlike last year, and if we’re getting into the optimistic side of things, Tottenham would be a great time to do it.

Seriously though, we have the tools. That’s why Dani Ceballos and Nicolas Pepe are here. So while this is a sprouting little problem, we have the tools to see it off before it becomes as widespread as last year, when we desperately tried Denis Suarez and, well, the rest is history.