Arsenal might need Xhaka & Partey to do the unthinkable

If everyone was asked to answer the question ‘where are Arsenal weakest?’, there would be universal agreement on the centre-forward position.

Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah will not score enough goals between now and the end of the season. Even if they are capable of going on little runs, whatever figure they accumulate is unlikely to be what this team need to secure the top four.

Which is why there are others who will share that task. If 80% of the goals were relied on those two then Arsenal would struggle to win any matches, let alone enough to pip the likes of West Ham, Manchester United and Tottenham to the Champions League post.

A lot rests a lot on the shoulders of Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka. The former stands out as the man you’d turn to in these times to be making the net ripple. Then you take a step back and consider that the primary goalscoring burden is being placed on the shoulders of two 20-year-old’s. Whether their age is as much of a factor any more given that they’re among the best players in the squad is irrelevant.

Arsenal might need Granit Xhaka & Thomas Partey to do the unthinkable this season and score a goal or two to help to push for Premier League top four

The strikers should be the ones, but in terms of Lacazette at least, how many goals are we looking at for the rest of the season? Five, maybe?

Arsenal found their scoring touch in December even without Lacazette’s contributions on the scoresheet, but between now and May others will have to step up to the plate and offer their own contributions, however minor.

Far from their remit, if Granit Xhaka and Thomas Partey can play their part in setting up the goals for the others that will also suffice. But all parts of this machine need to weigh in and even just one goal apiece can play a huge role in the overall context of the season. Just one was needed to turn one point into three against Burnley.

A collective effort needs contributions from all its sources. With a goal shy strikeforce there are others who will need to pick up the slack.

Partey and Xhaka, though?

The Swiss’ last open play goal for Arsenal was a one year and seven months ago, in a 4-0 home win over Norwich. Scoring goals is not what he does best. But he is going to play every minute of every game and he’s due his token one goal in the season. It will be most welcome.

As for Partey, well, he finally broke his Arsenal duck by skimming one in off his shoulder, although few players have come as close to him to netting in open play without actually scoring.

Arsenal won’t get by without a little help from their friends. The goals need to be spread out to ease the burden on the others, and one or two from the midfield pivot that, if all goes well, will be starting every game in the Premier League wouldn’t go amiss.