Mikel Arteta has indicated that Arsenal’s struggles in front of goal may have developed into a “psychological” issue following another frustrating performance, this time against Liverpool in the FA Cup, resulting in a 2-0 defeat and an exit from the competition.
The defeat came on the heels of a similar lackluster showing against West Ham, extending Arsenal’s winless streak to four games. Despite persistent rumors linking the club to Brentford striker Ivan Toney, Arteta suggested that addressing their scoring problems in the transfer market might be an unlikely solution.
The Spanish manager emphasized the need for his players to “reset” and expressed hope that a 13-day gap between fixtures would provide an opportunity for his squad to regroup.
Arteta acknowledged that the goalscoring issues might have taken a psychological toll on the team, particularly after the recent performances against Fulham and West Ham. He emphasized the importance of the upcoming break and labeled it as a timely interval.
Reflecting on the disappointing result against Liverpool, Arteta pointed out that Arsenal outperformed the in-form opposition, creating numerous chances but failing to capitalize. He stressed the difficulty of winning against such top teams if scoring opportunities aren’t converted.
In the absence of Gabriel Jesus due to injury, Arteta deployed Kai Havertz as the central figure in the front three. However, the German, along with Reiss Nelson and Martin Odegaard, couldn’t convert promising opportunities.
Despite longstanding links with Ivan Toney, Arteta indicated that a move for a striker is not currently close and emphasized his commitment to improving the existing squad.
While acknowledging the players’ effort, attitude, courage, and aggression, Arteta highlighted the need to change momentum. He expressed confidence in the players, acknowledging their deserving nature, and called for unity and support during challenging moments.
As Arsenal looks to navigate through this challenging period, Arteta emphasized the importance of sticking together, trusting in the process, and maintaining belief in the team’s ability to turn the situation around. He reassured fans that results and enjoyment would come, reinforcing the need for collective support and resilience.
