Why Arsenal made a mistake in selling Mika Biereth

Arsenal sold Mika Biereth to Sturm Graz for €9m last summer and following his January move to Monaco, it looks like that has proven to be a mistake.

The Denmark youth international has hit the form of his life since joining the Ligue 1 side, hitting three hat-tricks in his first seven league appearances. Having already impressed at Sturm Graz earlier this season, Biereth looks to have evolved into one of Europe's best young strikers.

With Biereth currently in tremendous form and the Gunners without a striker or clinical forward player, the decision to sell him last year certainly looks to have been a mistake.

Why Arsenal made a mistake in selling Mika Biereth

With both Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus out for the remainder of the season, Arsenal currently find themselves without a striker and if they did not sell Mika Biereth last summer, they could have had a clinical forward to call upon.

In his ten appearances for Monaco, Biereth has showcased deadly finishing, outperforming an xG of 7.8 to score ten goals. Since January, two of the Gunners' three forward options (Leandro Trossard and Raheem Sterling) have both underperformed an xG of 1.2. Ethan Nwaneri is the only player to have outperformed, scoring three goals from an xG of 0.9.

It is clear that Arsenal are missing a forward that can not only score their chances, but one who can actually get in the position to have those opportunities. Biereth would have been able to step in and provide that threat for the side.

The sale of Biereth also meant there was a gap left in the squad. Arsenal went through last season with three strikers. With Havertz the main option throughout the campaign, Jesus and Eddie Nketiah deputised frequently. Nketiah's departure to Crystal Palace left the squad with just two striker options and if he was not sold, Biereth could have been a third.

The Dane left the club at the start of the transfer window and Nketiah departed in the final days. While the latter's sale was not definite, it was heavily expected that he or Jesus would leave last summer, so the Gunners should have been cautious and held onto Biereth a bit longer.

Arsenal's decision to sell both Biereth and Nketiah meant they left themselves with just two striker options for this season, both of which were not entirely reliable. Jesus has been heavily injury-prone since joining the club, so any fitness issues should have been foreseen while Havertz has been massively overplayed throughout his time in north London, meaning a serious injury was likely to happen sooner or later. The decision to stick with only these two as options was a huge risk.

If the Gunners kept hold of Biereth, they would not be in the position they are now. Mikel Arteta could have utilised him as a squad player and called upon in a time of desperate need rather than being forced to get creative with his tactics.

Of course, it has to be acknowledged that Biereth's brilliant form has come in leagues of poorer quality. Ligue 1 and the Austrian Bundesliga aren't as mighty as the Premier League but with the former being classed as one of the 'top five', his efforts must still be applauded.

The displays the striker is putting on show he would be capable of having some impact in England's top flight, even if it wasn't as great as his current form.

There is no doubt that Arsenal made a mistake in selling Mika Biereth last summer. His current form is a testament to his talent and if he had remained in north London, he could be showcasing that in the Gunners red and white. The lack of a clinical forward due to injuries and poor performances has stunted Arteta's side, and it's hard to argue that they would not be in this position had they not sold one of their options. Biereth's brilliance has come in lesser leagues but there is no denying he could have stepped up and had a decent impact for Arsenal.

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