Arsenal 3-0 Southampton: 4 negatives for Arteta's side

Arsenal 3-0 Southampton: 4 negatives for Arteta’s side

Arsenal's French striker Alexandre Lacazette (C) celebrates after scoring the opening goal of the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Southampton at the Emirates Stadium in London on December 11, 2021. - - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Steve Bardens / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by STEVE BARDENS/AFP via Getty Images) /

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LONDON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 11: Alexandre Lacazette of Arsenal celebrates scoring the opening goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Southampton at Emirates Stadium on December 11, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Craig Mercer/MB Media/Getty Images) /

3. Arsenal Still Desperately Need to Sign a Striker

Lacazette took his goal well. It was a smart finish. It should also have been one of three he scored on the night. Sorry, not on the night, but in the first half.

Everything has to be perfect for him to score. Like a surfer eyeing an afternoon on the waves, the conditions have to be spot on for anything to work.

Generally speaking, he played well. There was less of this dropping into right-back nonsense that had been seen against Everton, with him acting more as the focal point in attack joining Gabriel Martinelli in trying to instigate the counter-press.

There was a lot on his shoulders after the Aubameyang debacle, so for that he does deserve some credit. However, put another striker in that team and Arsenal leave the Emirates with a hatful more goals to celebrate.

All of this was known beforehand: Arsenal need a new striker. But if they don’t dip into the January market then they’ll have to make do with what they have, which at the moment isn’t a great deal. Even Arteta’s favourite pupil, Eddie Nketiah, didn’t make it off the bench.

Arsenal need a new striker. Has that been said already?

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