Pain in the Arsenal
Fansided

4 targets for Arsenal during the second half of the 2022/23 season

By James Cormack

Arsenal's Brazilian midfielder Gabriel Martinelli holds up the shirt of Arsenal's Spanish defender Pablo Mari (recently injured in a stabbing incident in Italy) as he celebrates with teammates after scoring the opening goal of the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Nottingham Forest at the Emirates Stadium in London on October 30, 2022. - - 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 Ian Kington / 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 IAN KINGTON/AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal's Brazilian midfielder Gabriel Martinelli holds up the shirt of Arsenal's Spanish defender Pablo Mari (recently injured in a stabbing incident in Italy) as he celebrates with teammates after scoring the opening goal of the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Nottingham Forest at the Emirates Stadium in London on October 30, 2022. - - 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 Ian Kington / 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 IAN KINGTON/AFP via Getty Images) /
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Arsenal’s return from a lengthy, World Cup-induced hiatus is almost upon us. Friendlies out in the Middle East teased our salivary glands, but supporters remain unsatiated. We want the real thing.

The Gunners will round off a hefty Premier League Boxing Day schedule by welcoming West Ham to the Emirates. The league leaders haven’t blessed us with their majesty since mid-November, and expectations are high among fans despite Gabriel Jesus’ injury.

The Brazilian won’t be suiting up over the festive period after undergoing knee surgery with Mikel Arteta’s side playing two more games to round off 2022 before an ominous January awaits.

Arsenal have defied the odds to sit five points clear of Manchester City at the top of the Premier League through 14 games. They were the team of the first half of the season, but a long, adversity-laden road lies ahead for Arteta’s side. How they overcome their inevitable challenges will determine how far they can go this season, and their primary goal can’t be forgotten.

4 targets for Arsenal during the second half of the 2022/23 season

Here are four targets for Arsenal during the second half of the 2022/23 season.

1. Address critical areas in January

Priority number one. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Priority number one. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images) /

After a quiet end to the summer transfer window, Arsenal were always going to be busy in January no matter what. They lack depth in a couple of key positions, and the club needs to bring in at least one or two players to ensure the Gunners can cope with a demanding schedule down the stretch.

While the defence can be left alone for now, Arsenal require reinforcements in midfield – whether it be a holder or a box-to-box – and in attacking areas. Shakhtar Donetsk winger Mykhaylo Mudryk is said to be the Gunners’ ‘priority’ in January with Jesus’ injury failing to alter the club’s transfer plans.

Arteta could explore the possibility of bringing in a versatile striker option to fill the Brazilian’s void, but there are no signs of that being in the Spaniard’s mind. Mudryk is their guy, and he could be the X-factor talent to take Arsenal’s improved attack to another level.

Continued on the next slide…

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