Exes. Everybody’s got one. Arsenal’s somewhat acerbic and, at this point, routine victory over Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea on Sunday said as much about what both teams lack as what they possess. Chelsea, for all their inability to create meaningful chances against the Gunners (just 0.35 xg and 0 big chances created), maintained the ball (ending the game with 61% possession). Arsenal’s performance gave us another note in an all too familiar symphony in their 24/25 campaign: Defensive solidity, an incredible press and a goal from a set piece.
Arsenal, as you’ve probably heard someone mutter to themselves, stumbling from one pool table to the next at your local pub, “need a striker”. But there have been a million articles about that, so perhaps the more interesting question isn’t just what Arsenal needs but how they have ended up in the position. This leads us to the question of ghosts, the past, or, as I put it earlier… Exes.
The denunciation of Pierre-Emirck Aubameyang’s career at Arsenal is well documented from the FA Cup final victory and the numerous calls to “Sign Da Ting,” to Aubameyang being left out of the Arsenal team in December 2021 due to a late return from a trip to Barcelona.
It would appear that, at this moment, Arteta and Arsenal decided it was better to have a forward line of Lacazettes (hard-working players who are unselfish regardless of their lack of ruthlessness in front of goal; see also, Eddie Nketiah and, to a lesser extent, Gabriel Martinelli) than Aubameyangs.
Arteta’s decision, in this case, can hardly be criticised. Arsenal went from a 69-point team (21/22) to an 89-point squad (23/24). But Arsenal now finds themselves in 2nd, 12 points off the pace, relying once again on a set piece routine and with a toothless Chelsea still boasting the more exciting attackers (despite them not showing it on the day).
Arteta’s fascination with the Lacazettes, Nketiahs, and, to some extent, Kai Havertzs of the world has left the club wedded to a version of forward that seldom appears. Arteta has been open to that part of his forward scouting, including analysing their personality and performance when not scoring. This attitude has undoubtedly led to success in the culture at Arsenal. It is ultimately why a player like Mikel Merino is willing to adapt to his new role at number 9.
Arsenal’s seeming post-Aubameyang “no egos” policy in attack has benefited them. Arsenal have no egos in attack. But at what cost?
How happy is Mo Salah when taken off or not scoring? Or Sergio Aguero during his time at City? Did Henry not routinely lambast teammates for getting simple passes wrong?
Perhaps, for Arsenal to become the inevitable team they want to be, they might need to add a little more Aubameyang and a little less Lacazette. Undoubtedly, this policy works in other areas of the pitch, but for the attackers who can move the needle for Arsenal, it must be loosening if they are to end that 21-year wait for the Premier League title.