Forget about a new striker - why Arsenal need to sign a winger in the January window

It was a terrible end to 2023 for Arsenal, as their seemingly smooth title challenge took a huge blow in back-to-back defeats to West Ham and Fulham. The Gunners have scored just twice in their last four games, and have scored just 37 across the Premier League season so far - the lowest of the top four and less than tenth placed Newcastle. Those numbers become even more alarming when looking at the goalscoring stats of their preferred front three. Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli have just 11 league goals between them, with Saka contributing over half of those. 

Many fans are demanding that a new striker is signed this January, but is that a realistic request? Speaking after Arsenal’s defeat to Liverpool in the FA Cup, manager Mikel Arteta said, “At the moment it does not look realistic. What my job is, and what we have to do is improve our players and try to get better results with the players we have. What I beg from the supporters is that they are behind the team like they have been in difficult moments.” 

While Eddie Nketiah might not be at the level required for a club that wants to challenge for a title, when fans consider Jesus' contributions, it's sometimes necessary to look beyond the final output numbers and see what his quality brings to the team. When Liverpool won the title in 2020, Roberto Firmino scored just one goal at Anfield in the penultimate game of the season. His link up play thoughout was phenomenal and Momamed Salah and Sadio Mané scored 37 Premier League goals between them. Jesus needs more from Martinelli and Saka. And Martinelli and Saka themselves need more in terms of competition and rotation. 

Martinelli and Saka - underperforming and overworked

Last season, Martinelli scored 15 Premier League goals. Saka scored 14, and provided a further 11 assists. In this current campaign they have just eight league goals between them from a combined 37 games. Martinelli hasn’t been good enough. Certainly not for a starter in a team who has aspirations of lifting the title. And Saka is still delivering but appears to be lacking the energy we saw last season. Why is this?

In the case of Martinelli, the Brazilian has been underperforming. Despite still getting in to some fantastic positions for Arsenal and posing a clear threat, highlighted by his 33 shots in the Premier League this term, his final product has been poor far too often. Two goals from those 33 strikes means a conversion rate of just 0.06%. The Brazilian has also attempted 85 crosses but has just two assists to show for it. When trying to understand the reason for this underperformance, confidence shouldn’t really be an issue given the incredible campaign he had with the Gunners last term. Instead, it may come down to a lack of genuine competition spurring the forward on. 

Leandro Trossard was brought in from Brighton last January to add more competition for places in the attacking sectors for Arsenal and demoted Martinelli to the bench for a handful of games during the Premier League run-in. However, the Belgian's lack of pace means he can’t replicate Martinelli’s option as an outlet and seems better suited to playing in more central areas, where he has been primarily used this season. This means that the 22-year-old Martinelli has been able to put in a series of under par showings, without the genuine threat of losing his place in Arteta’s starting eleven. If the North London side had a top level option who could come in and replace Martinelli for a few games, the Brazilian could benefit from watching on. It’s not been the case. Martinelli is still the third most valuable winger in the league with a market value of €85m.

When it comes to Saka, he is undoubtedly the star of the club. Homegrown, extremely talented, and hungry and brave every time he’s on the pitch. Although these qualities have been taken advantage of, and have meant that of late, he’s started to look very fatigued. When we take a look at his output this term, it's certainly not extraordinary but it’s very good. Across the Premier League and Champions League, he has nine goals and 11 assists in 24 matches. It’s a good return equating to 0.83 direct goal contributions per game. Saka was averaging 0.66 last season in the league, with just 0.54 in all competitions last term. He was in the last campaign's team of the season. However, the team isn't where they were last year. And when results aren’t there, people look for someone to blame. And who further to look past than Arsenal’s star man. Even if he’s still actually doing his bit. 

Nevertheless, Arsenal are in real danger of their prized asset burning out. Before he missed the 1-0 win against Manchester City through a thigh strain, Saka had played 87 consecutive Premier League games for the Gunners - a club record. Surpassing the previous record of 82 held by Paul Merson. Saka started all but four of the league games in that run and played the full 90 minutes plus stoppage time on 44 occasions. There’s been no respite after that either. Since missing the game against the treble winners, Saka has started all 12 league fixtures, playing the full match on nine occasions. Arsenal can’t find someone as good as Saka to come in when he’s unavailable or in need of a rest, but they need to find a player who can soften the blow.

Which wingers could Arsenal bring in? Neto and Bakayoko would fit the bill

When identifying which wingers Arsenal could bring to the Emirates this month, their long-term interest in Portugal and Wolves winger Pedro Neto means he could be a front runner. The 23-year-old has eight assists in 11 Premier League games this term, and very recently returned to action after a hamstring injury. His pace and trickery, and eye for an early cross could fit perfectly into Arteta’s system, with the Spaniard favouring getting his wingers 1-on-1 as much as possible. Neto can provide genuine competition to Martinelli on the left-wing. He has a current market value of €42m. Another option could be PSV winger Johan Bakayoko, who shone against the Gunners in the Champions League this season and has 17 direct goal involvements this term. The Dutchman has a market value of €40m. 

Why Jesus can lead Arsenal to success at number nine

Jesus can be the main man up front for Arsenal, but needs to stay fit. Since arriving from Man City in the summer of 2022, he has missed 17 Premier League matches - that’s 29.3% of Arsenal’s league games in that time. The Gunners need to rely on the Brazilian and so far his body has been letting him down. Despite having issues in front of goal, Arsenal aren't the same team without the chaos that Jesus brings to the centre-forward role. This season Arteta's team have 2 points per game with Jesus in the starting line-up, and just 1.64 ppg without him in the eleven - Nketiah nor Trossard hold up the ball or link up play in the same way as the Brazilian. No one can match his dribbling skills.

When it comes to goalscoring, it's been an underwhelming return for Jesus. Speaking on international duty last November the Brazilian said, "I'll say it again, but now I think it's clearer: I don't think scoring goals or fighting for the top scorer's honour is my strong point, but I can improve, I want to improve and I will improve." It was perhaps not the wisest thing to say, given the Arsenal supporters demands for their no.9 to score goals, and he has since said his words were taken a little out of context, but the fact does remain that he doesn't hit the back of the net often enough. 

However, he does have the ability to finish, proven by the 72 Premier League goals he has scored and the four goals in five Champions League games he has returned this season. He has also scored all different types of goals for Arsenal, from delicate chips, to back post headers, to slotting it in the corner after putting a defender on his backside. One criticism would be his movement and presence in the box, with the 26-year-old often dropping deep and not making penetrative runs into the area regularly enough. Arsenal spent €60m to make Jesus their new striker just 18 months ago and he can be the main man for Arsenal, if he can avoid injuries and stay on the pitch.