{"id":294700,"date":"2023-11-09T06:39:24","date_gmt":"2023-11-09T06:39:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportstoft.com\/?p=294700"},"modified":"2023-11-09T06:39:24","modified_gmt":"2023-11-09T06:39:24","slug":"solution-to-arsenals-problems-is-obvious-but-its-out-of-mikel-artetas-control","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportstoft.com\/soccer\/solution-to-arsenals-problems-is-obvious-but-its-out-of-mikel-artetas-control\/","title":{"rendered":"Solution to Arsenal’s problems is obvious but it’s out of Mikel Arteta’s control"},"content":{"rendered":"

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta will ‘talk loudly’ about VAR until situation improves<\/h3>\n

Arsenal\u2019s return to their consistent best will coincide with the reprisal of form for key stars. Mikel Arteta will naturally attempt to paper over the cracks with an alternative solution, but the Gunners\u2019 return to the level of performance last season relies unwaveringly on cutting down the club\u2019s injury list.<\/p>\n

The Gunners have lost many of last season\u2019s star players to injury at different points of the campaign. Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli, Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka, in addition to Thomas Partey, have all missed parts of the season, with Arteta struggling to frequently select his first-choice team.<\/p>\n

That quartet started together on 11 occasions during Arsenal\u2019s first 17 matches last term, with the Europa League the only occasions when they did not feature in rotated teams. But Arteta has not been able to get them on the pitch together as frequently this season.<\/p>\n

Of Arsenal\u2019s 17 games in 2023-24, Arteta has been able to pick those four players in a measly two games. Their injuries have played a role in Arsenal\u2019s lack of fluidity this year.<\/p>\n

READ MORE: <\/strong> Liverpool and Arsenal may be set for mammoth duel as chief expects ‘record sale'[LATEST] <\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

The north Londoners are yet to display the kind of full-throttle football that helped them challenge Manchester City for most of last season. Jesus, Martinelli, Odegaard and Saka were all key to Arteta\u2019s style, but have struggled for fitness and form since August.<\/p>\n

Striker Jesus currently has a hamstring injury with Arteta not wanting to put a date on his return. Club captain Odegaard has been struggling with a hip problem that has kept him out of Arsenal\u2019s last two games.<\/p>\n

Martinelli and Saka – who were crucial to Arsenal\u2019s title challenge on either flank last season – have also missed portions of the campaign. Arteta has subsequently not been able to inject the same fluidity into his team as he did last term.<\/p>\n

That has caused a couple of disjointed performances. For all the fury over Newcastle\u2019s goal in their 1-0 defeat at St James\u2019 Park last weekend, Arsenal lacked creativity and were too predictable when they went forward.<\/p>\n