Arsenal’s January could break their season into pieces

With the transfer window slammed shut attention turns to a collective push for the coveted top four spots. With several players leaving during January, most notably Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Arsenal look more than a little thin up top.

Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah, both of whom are set to be moved on after the season, are the only recognized strikers remaining. Gabriel Martinelli has shown he can lead the line when called upon, however, he is best utilized as out wide.

Nicolas Pepe and Bukayo Saka are the last two of Arsenal’s out and out forwards with Emile Smith Rowe and Martin Odegaard falling more within the attacking midfielder bracket. The question is, with only Lacazette and Nketiah as the frontmen, can they lead Arsenal to a top four finish?

The undeniable answer from many Arsenal fans would be no. The Gunners were crying out for a star centre-forward to propel them for the second half of the season. In their last five matches Arsenal has scored just the solitary goal, and while some will point out that three of those games came against Liverpool and Manchester City, Mikel Arteta’s side had their chances.

Arsenal’s January transfer window and worrying goal threat could break their season into pieces as they push for top four

It is a worrying thought that this January transfer window just passed could break Arsenal’s season. Should the unthinkable happen and a player(s) falls foul to injury, there is little to no cover. Does the Arsenal fanbase have confidence in Nketiah to lead the line for a prolonged period? Another fairly universal no. The fact that he rejected a new deal and was not moved on with a replacement brought in, especially since there were offers for him, is baffling.

Does Arteta simply have unwavering faith in what Lacazette and Nketiah can do or does he have another plan to use Martinelli or even Pepe in a striker role? Lacazette has shown that he can lead from the front but has been guilty of missing guilt-edged chances while Nketiah has shown he can only score goals in cup competitions. When playing against Premier League opposition he has been found wanting. Neither of the other options sound too convincing, although it could be just the circuit breaker needed, especially for Pepe.

Arsenal has scored just 33 goals from their 21 games which is the fewest number of goals out of the Premier League’s top six. Even Leicester City, who are currently in tenth, have scored more goals than Arteta’s side.

The Gunners wage bill was trimmed considerably over the January window which could indicate some big moves in the summer, but that does not aid this squad in the short-term. With still plenty to fight for in the Premier League and other teams strengthening or at least consolidating, the Gunners are weakened, albeit slightly.

Such is the small margin for error now that Arteta can’t afford for anything to go wrong over the final four months of the season. That is a bizarre way to get through arguably the toughest league in the world.

It is a scary proposition that faces the fanbase. After seemingly clawing their way out of a monumental hole that was dug in the early stages of the season, the lack of transfer activity could find themselves back in said hole very soon.

Arsenal have got to where they are off the back of Lacazette, Emile Smith Rowe, Bukayo Saka, and Gabriel Martinelli. Much more is going to be needed of this quartet going forward and there is nothing like doing things against the odds.

But as we have seen at stages this season there has been incredible growth from this young Arsenal side. But even more is now expected as they push for Champions League football for the first time in what feels like an age.

Let’s just hope the club’s lack of transfer dealings does not consign the club to another season without European football, because the signs are there that it may. And that’s it, it’s mostly hope.