3 big questions Arsenal must answer after the international break

Nothing like the international break to prompt some introspection.

Arsenal have begun 2024/25 in a similar fashion to last year: picking up seven points from their first three games, ‘suffering’ a home draw on matchday three, and are now two whole points behind the champions after their August efforts.

Perhaps one can take more encouragement this time around as the Gunners are good value for their current league standing and look somewhat less stodgy in attack, while the defence is maintaining its great solidity from last term.

3 big questions that Arsenal must find answers to after the international break

But there are still many things for Mikel Arteta to sort out, and the boss must work very hard over the coming week to do that work, ensuring that his team will be ready for a daunting September schedule.

Here are three of the biggest questions Arsenal must answer upon their domestic return.

1. How to solve the midfield quandary?

Mikel Merino was supposed to be the solution here.

Left-hand side efficiency has been a midfield issue since Granit Xhaka left but, last month, Arsenal (finally) went into the market for answers and bought Merino. However, a freak training ground accident means he will not feature until late October.

Declan Rice could be an imperfect alternative in his absence, yet a red card versus Brighton (as you might have heard…) will also rule him out of the upcoming North London Derby.

That leaves Arteta with just Jorginho and Thomas Partey – both a bit ‘meh’ – as possible, natural solutions, the chance to move Kai Havertz back into the middle (also ‘meh’),  or else draft in Ethan Nwaneri for this huge clash (exciting, but never going to happen).

Injuries and suspensions are ill-timed, especially with such tough matches on the horizon (Atalanta, Manchester City, PSG, etc.), but excuses will not work and the boss only has one more week to find an answer.

Continued on the next slide...