Arsenal’s push for a Premier League title has fallen short in the past two seasons, and despite early optimism this year, it seems history might repeat itself.
Following a frustrating 0-0 draw against Everton, the Gunners once again find themselves grappling with familiar issues in attack.
On Monday Night Football, Arsenal legend Thierry Henry delivered a sharp analysis of their current problems.
While their reliance on Bukayo Saka continues to bear fruit, Henry pointed out that Arsenal’s left-wing approach, led by Gabriel Martinelli, may be holding them back.
Arsenal’s Predictability: Set-Pieces vs. Open Play
Henry’s first observation was Arsenal’s reliance on set-pieces to score goals.
While set-pieces are an important tool, the team’s lack of creativity in open play is becoming a glaring issue.
“It’s not a bad thing to score from set-pieces. It’s actually outstanding,” Henry remarked.
“But the problem lies in the predictability of their approach play.”
Using their 2-0 win over Manchester United as an example, Henry dissected the moments where Arsenal failed to capitalize on opportunities to create clear-cut chances.
He contrasted their play with Liverpool’s attack, where Mohamed Salah often has multiple runners around him – players like Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota – providing different options.
In Arsenal’s case, Saka is often isolated, with few alternatives beyond passing to Martin Odegaard.
The Left-Wing Dilemma: Martinelli’s Struggles
Henry then turned his attention to Arsenal’s left side, where Gabriel Martinelli has been the mainstay for the past few seasons.
While Saka has developed into one of Europe’s best right-wingers, Martinelli’s growth appears to have plateaued.
In the clip shown during the analysis, Martinelli was positioned high and wide against Diogo Dalot.
Henry pointed out how Martinelli, known for his blistering pace, should have attacked his defender in a one-on-one situation.
Instead, he chose to play the ball backwards, ultimately leaving Arsenal retreating to the halfway line.
“You’re not playing your 1v1,” Henry said, frustrated.
The missed opportunity highlighted a larger issue: Martinelli’s inability to consistently break down defenses, a skill crucial for a title-chasing side.
A World-Class Attacker: The Missing Piece?
Henry’s analysis ties into a point echoed by Jamie Carragher, who believes Arsenal are lacking a “world-class attacker” to compete with Manchester City and Liverpool.
“I don’t think it’s necessarily a striker,” Carragher explained.
“But when you see Saka on the right – who is world-class – and compare it to what Arsenal have on the left, it’s like chalk and cheese.”
Both Saka and Martinelli emerged as young stars for Arsenal, but while Saka has become a leader in his position, Martinelli’s output this season has been underwhelming.
With only four goals and two assists in 22 appearances across all competitions, the Brazilian’s form is raising concerns.
What’s Next for Arsenal?
For Arsenal to break their Premier League title drought, they must address their predictable attack and find balance on both flanks.
Whether that means Martinelli stepping up his game or Arsenal recruiting a new forward remains to be seen.
Henry’s analysis serves as a wake-up call: relying too heavily on individual brilliance, particularly from Saka, will not be enough to topple teams like Manchester City and Liverpool.
To truly challenge for silverware, Arsenal need to evolve their approach and rediscover creativity across the pitch.