After securing a top-two finish in the Champions League, Mikel Arteta is set to rotate his squad ahead of their next league match against bottom-of-the-table Kairat on Wednesday, before facing Leeds on Saturday.
Wayne Rooney, the former England captain and pundit on Sunday’s Match of the Day, commented, “While Arsenal are still seen as title favorites, Arteta will be concerned about their performance in the last three matches against Liverpool, Nottingham Forest, and Manchester United.”
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Rooney added, “Despite the recent difficulties, I still consider them to be slight favorites.”
A significant worry for the team is the absence of a reliable goalscorer. Currently, none of their forwards are finding the back of the net consistently, increasing reliance on set-piece opportunities.
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Bukayo Saka – 0 goals in his last 13 appearances across all competitions
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Viktor Gyokeres – 0 non-penalty goals in his last 11 Premier League matches
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Gabriel Martinelli – 0 goals in his last 13 Premier League appearances
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Noni Madueke – 0 goals in his last 25 Premier League games
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Leandro Trossard – one goal in his last 11 appearances in all competitions
Gary Neville, a former Manchester United defender, believes Arteta will need to reassess and adapt. “It was an incredible match and a wake-up call for Arsenal,” Neville stated on Sky Sports. “They will need to regroup and rethink their approach. They still maintain a four-point lead, but there will undoubtedly be questions raised after today’s performance.”