Arsenal strategy: How Mikel Arteta’s gunners are playing like Jose Mourinho’s team

Either way, the title is inevitable for the current Arsenal side, the data is clear: they need a ferocious striker to get rid of their set-piece reliance.

We’ve known this for some time, but the glare of headlines has intensified in the past week. We’ve also compiled our own list here of who they could sign in January.

Victory in the North London derby could kick-start their 2025, but the same questions remain after relying on an own goal from a set-piece and Leandro Trossard’s strike through Spurs keeper Antonin Kinski.

Arsenal have scored two goals from 63 shots against Manchester United, Newcastle and Tottenham – with an expected goals (xG) of 7.83.

All three games were defined by set-piece opportunities and big misses, but the clearest example was against Newcastle, when Kai Havertz missed golden opportunities, while at the other end, Alexander Isak showed Arsenal’s lack of depth.

The Gunners missed all six of their ‘big chances’. The Magpies scored both of their own.

It was very similar to Manchester United’s defeat on penalties in the FA Cup, which saw Diogo Delot sent off in the 61st minute, after which Arteta said: “In 1,000 games (like this) you lose one, and it was this one. “

Maybe that’s true, but when it keeps happening you have to question whether Arsenal lack the clinical edge and composure at key moments, especially when an extra goal is needed.

They have been ahead by one goal in five of their seven Premier League draws this season. German Havertz, who under-scored against his xG for the fourth time in five campaigns, is not a player to finish games.

So, Arsenal are good in corners and they don’t have Isak. This is not breaking news at all.

But analyzing the underlying data reveals that Arsenal’s problems are deeper than meets the eye.