Should Arsenal sign a striker in January?

The Gunners have performed poorly in front of the net.

Arsenal fans jeered a little when the final whistle blew at Emirates Stadium last Saturday, realizing that they had lost a great chance to get back into the running for the Premier League title.

If the league title is to return to North London for the very first time in almost 20 years, the Gunners cannot afford to make many more mistakes after being held to a disappointing goalless draw by Everton.

After closely losing to Manchester City in previous seasons, Mikel Arteta’s team had set a high bar ahead of this season. But they are already lagging behind leaders Liverpool, who drew 2-2 with Fulham at Anfield.

The result was Arsenal’s first goalless stalemate at home since January 2023 against Newcastle, and they haven’t drawn back-to-back league matches since April 2023 after drawing to Fulham Sunday.

Is the absence of a prolific striker starting to cause issues?

Arsenal have scored 11 fewer goals than they did at this point in 2022–2023 and four fewer than they did at this point last season. At 12.8%, their shot conversion rate is comparable to their anticipated 12.3% conversion rate.

Despite winning four fewer penalties, they have registered as many non-penalty goals after 16 games so far this season as they did during the previous one (27). Compared to the same point last term, the Gunners have taken 13 fewer shots.

At this point in the season, their anticipated goals (xG) are 27.7, down from 29.71 after 16 games the previous season and 31.53 at the same point in 2022–2023.

Although Arsenal have scored 29 goals this season, the top teams in the division typically outperform their XG because they have access to stronger players. In contrast, Arteta’s team outscored its xG by 8.5 in 2022–2023 and by three goals last season.

Accordingly, Arsenal’s creativity in terms of the number of shots they’re creating is also lacking, and their final product is poor in terms of underperforming xG, which a good striker may help with.

Should Arsenal go for a striker in the winter window?

Arsenal have been linked to a bid for Juventus attacker Dusan Vlahovic and Newcastle’s in-form Alexander Isak as the January transfer window approaches.

Gabriel Jesus has not been a killer in front of the box meanwhile, Kai Havertz have had his fair enough. Arsenal have enough creative players who can provide for the actual striker who boasts an excellent finishing style.

Hence, the Gunners should look for an ideal centre-forward who can increase the club’s performance in front of the goal and commence the path to chase the title with hope.

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