Arsenal’s 69 Premier League goals were 17 fewer than champions Liverpool last season, and 22 fewer than their record 91 from two seasons ago.
It’s easy to point to injuries and a lack of a consistent centre forward, but it’s hard to deny that the Gunners have a creativity issue.
The eye test didn’t favour Arsenal last season, with a rigid, slow attack often struggling to break down deep defences and unlock tight games.
The easiest fixes are internal. Keep Bukayo Saka fit for longer, and a fully healthy Martin Odegaard should be able to return to form as the creative engine.
There’s no doubt those two were huge misses last season, and their slow ramp up to fitness hampered them even when they did return.
However, there’s several new avenues that look like they will be explored this year that are already being addressed in the transfer market.
The impending arrival of Martin Zubimendi has the potential to change how Arsenal build the play.
The holding midfielder has been praised for his tempo setting, helping Real Sociedad, and the Spanish national side, to up the pace in key moments of attacks, while also having the capacity to slow the game down and avoid pressure when needed.
This has the potential to mimic what Granit Xhaka offered the side under Mikel Arteta, and could dovetail nicely with Myles Lewis-Skelly, recently signed to a new long-term contract, and a fully fit Riccardo Calafiori.
The two left-back options are vital in Arsenal's build-up and have the licence to roam into midfield, causing overloads and operating as free, creative options.
The combination at the base of midfield should allow creative players such as Odegaard to stay higher where they can be more dangerous.
Should a new striker come in, Arteta may also experiment with the system in certain games, combining Kai Havertz with an incoming option to be more direct and create chances a different way.
Add to that a greater role for a maverick like Ethan Nwaneri - who played in all six matches for England U21s as they won the European Championships in Slovakia - or a new attacking signing, and Arteta will have both tactical and personnel options to transform the Arsenal attack.
The Gunners start their pre-season campaign against AC Milan on July 23.
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