Arsenal attack lacking balance in Premier League title push

Fatigue, rotation and injuries have all played their part, but in the 0-0 draw against Nottingham Forest, it felt more than that. It felt like a lack of balance.  

Mikel Arteta fielded a front three of Viktor Gyökeres, Noni Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli, three players who like to run in behind and stretch the field.

For away games, there’s some sense in having runners to offer outlets and get the team up the pitch, but too many of the same profile have their own issues, limiting the team’s chance creation.

The Gunners still had several good chances to put the ball in the back of the net, namely the close-range miss from Martinelli, and there will be opportunities due to the quality of depth in the squad, but the balance appeared to restrict Arsenal’s attacking play.

Figuring out balanced combinations and building player relationships will be important to see out the Premier League and fight in the cups.

That becomes even more important if Arsenal’s other weapons diminish at all, whether it’s the defence leaking goals or set-piece goals drying up.

The balance looked better against Inter Milan in the Champions League, with the combination of Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus and Leandro Trossard causing countless problems through their interplay and technical security.

Jesus dropping in to link the play, while also offering a focal point in the box, helped pull the Inter defence out of position on multiple occasions while also generating chances for the wingers, staking a good claim for the starting spot at the weekend.

 That same attacking group allowed Gyökeres to come off the bench against a tired defence with more space to operate, helping him to seal the 3-1 win away at the San Siro.

 Next up, the Gunners host Manchester United at the Emirates at 4:30pm on Sunday.

Michael Carrick’s first game as interim manager was a statement 2-0 victory against Manchester City, lining up as a potential banana skin for Arteta’s side.