<div id="attachment_368654" style="width: 1034px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><div><figure class="image"></figure></div><p id="caption-attachment-368654" class="wp-caption-text">Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images</p></div>
<p>In the summer of 2021, Arsenal took a gamble in the transfer market by bringing in a <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/2021/09/05/mikel-arteta-and-arsenals-summer-transfer-gamble/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">wildly young crop of players</a>.</p>
<p>Ben White, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Aaron Ramsdale and Martin Ødegaard looked like a project for years down the road. However, that Arsenal gamble in the summer transfer window is paying off. The four aforementioned players are mainstays in an Arsenal side fighting for the Champions League.</p>
<p>In January, Mikel Arteta and technical director Edu rolled the dice again. The North London side did not bring in any new players in the winter transfer window. Despite not signing new reinforcements during the winter transfer window, the duo shifted five senior players off of the books in the last few weeks.</p>
<p>Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Calum Chambers, Sead Kolasinac, Pablo Mari, and Ainsley Maitland-Niles all departed the club. Maitland-Niles moved to Roma on a loan until the end of the season, while the others are permanent deals.</p>
<p>These moves did not surprise most fans and pundits following the Gunners in recent months. After all, none of the quintet played a single Premier League minute since December 7. Clearly, Arteta and Edu prioritized moving these weekly wages off the books.</p>
<p>Nevertheless, the Gunners could be shorthanded if injuries/COVID cases start to pile up. Arsenal already dealt with COVID-19 issues, leading to some games being postponed.</p>
<p>The young players will continue to garner invaluable experience in the Premier League. Yet, there are now question marks over depth.</p>
<h3>Arsenal transfer market gamble leaves gaps</h3>
<p>On one hand, the Gunners have just 17 total matches left between now and the end of May. The reason comes from the fact that Liverpool and Nottingham Forest knocked Arsenal out of the Carabao Cup and FA Cup, respectively. Arteta and company likely felt a little more comfortable moving players with the lightened load of games. Similarly, it made Arsenal less desperate to bring in more options.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em><strong><a href="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/2021/12/20/arsenals-youth-project-continues-to-produce-results/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">READ MORE:</a>&nbsp;</strong></em><em>Arsenal’s youth project continues to produce results.</em></p>
<p>Even then, 17 games with the uncertainty of COVID and injuries is no slight task. Essentially, there are two positions There are essentially two positions in which Arsenal could potentially be light at over the next few months.</p>
<h5>Center back</h5>
<p>As things stand, Arsenal has just three center backs on the current senior roster.</p>
<p>Gabriel and Ben White dominate the playing time at the back of Mikel Arteta’s side. The third is Rob Holding, who has 75 appearances for the club since arriving in 2016. Holding fills in the gaps if there is any injury or suspension from White and Gabriel.</p>
<p>After that, Takehiro Tomiyasu can play in central defense. However, that leaves Cedric Soares starting important matches at right back for the club. Kieran Tierney and Granit Xhaka could also make emergency appearances at center back if needed.</p>
<p>Speaking of Xhaka, central midfield is an area in which fans have expressed the need for reinforcements in January. This is not so much about depth, more so talent in an integral part of the pitch. Xhaka and Thomas Partey are practically guaranteed starters in midfield. Moreover, Arsenal have solid backup options in Sambi Lokonga, Mohamed Elneny and Martin Odegaard. The aforementioned White can also take up a role in the middle if required.</p>
<h5>Striker</h5>
<p>The center forward position, however, is a much more delicate situation right now for Arsenal. Since Aubameyang’s dropping from the team, Alexandre Lacazette mans the number nine slot for the Gunners. The Frenchman is obviously a good player in the team’s build up play. Still, he lacks the scoring touch, at least in recent games. In fact, Lacazette has just two goals in his last <a href="https://www.transfermarkt.us/alexandre-lacazette/leistungsdaten/spieler/93720" target="_blank" rel="noopener">13 Premier League matches</a>.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em><strong><a href="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/2022/01/06/how-arsenal-actually-improve-without-aubameyang/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">READ MORE:</a>&nbsp;</strong></em><em>How Arsenal actually improve without Aubameyang.</em></p>
<p>Arteta likely plans to utilize Eddie Nketiah as a backup to Lacazette at the position until the end of the current campaign. Nketiah shows talent for a 22-year-old, bagging five goals in 42 Premier League fixtures.</p>
<p>Arsenal missed out on the Dusan Vlahovic sweepstakes. The Serbian international opted to stay in Italy, joining Juventus for almost <a href="https://www.transfermarkt.us/dusan-vlahovic/transfers/spieler/357498" target="_blank" rel="noopener">$90 million</a>. Several reports claimed Arsenal offered around $80 million for the Fiorentina striker. Essentially, the North London club had the money to spend. Rather, Arsenal opted for the gamble in the January transfer window. A striker likely tops the list of needs for the club in the summer.</p>
<h3>Moving forward in the current campaign</h3>
<p>With Aubameyang off to Barcelona and Lacazette and Nketiah likely departing this summer, the Gunners will have to make at least one major signing at the center forward position. Much like how Arsenal gambled during the 2021 summer transfer market, they have also taken a chance on the rest of the current campaign. Not only are Arteta and company gambling on the fitness of the team, but they also are hoping to finally get their center forward target in the summer.</p>
<p>If the Gunners can hold it together and finish strong this season, the club’s brass will have plenty of money and available roster spots to make moves this summer. The gamble during the last summer transfer window seems to be paying off and Gooners will be hoping that Arteta still has aces up his sleeves for 2022.</p>
<div class="ckeditor-em"><iframe loading="lazy" width="100%" height="300" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/229182541&amp;color=%23ff5500&amp;auto_play=false&amp;hide_related=false&amp;show_comments=true&amp;show_user=true&amp;show_reposts=false&amp;show_teaser=true&amp;visual=true"></iframe></div>
<div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/worldsoccertalk" title="World Soccer Talk Podcast" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener">World Soccer Talk Podcast</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/worldsoccertalk/interview-with-arseblogs-andrew-mangan-about-arsenal" title="Interview with ArseBlog&apos;s Andrew Mangan about Arsenal" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener">Interview with ArseBlog&apos;s Andrew Mangan about Arsenal</a></div>


In the summer, the Gunners took a risk on a handful of young players. Arsenal made another transfer market gamble in January, but differently.

Arsenal gamble again in the transfer market - World Soccer Talk

Arsenal gamble again in the transfer market

<div id="attachment_365243" style="width: 1034px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><div><figure class="image"></figure></div><p id="caption-attachment-365243" class="wp-caption-text">Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images</p></div>
<p>Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang last featured for Arsenal a month ago. Now, it seems he may never play for the Gunners again.</p>
<p>The 32-year-old star striker began his time in north London as one of the club’s top players. Aubameyang arrived at the Emirates widely regarded as one of the best number nines in the world. The Gabon international managed to rack up 54 goals in his first 85 Premier League matches with Arsenal.</p>
<p>Not only did Aubameyang score with ease in the first two-and-a-half years with the Gunners, but he scored important goals as well. Most notably, he netted all four of his club’s goals in the semifinals and the final of the FA Cup during the 2019/20 campaign. His <em>Man of the Match</em> performances in these games guided the Gunners to their record-fourteenth FA Cup victory.</p>
<p>Nevertheless, the Gabon international’s steep drop in production since this FA Cup final put him out of favor for Mikel Arteta.</p>
<h5>Disappointing performances in recent seasons</h5>
<p>Aubameyang suffered illnesses and injuries en route to a lackluster 2020/21 season. His 10 league goals became his lowest tally during a full season since his freshman campaign in Ligue 1 over a decade ago. It was also in this 2020/21 season that Aubameyang missed out on a massive matchup with bitter rivals Tottenham Hotspur. Injuries were not the cause. Rather disciplinary reasons regarding showing up late to the game. This would obviously not be the last time the forward, and captain of Arsenal, was in trouble with his manager.</p>
<p>When Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta decided to freeze out Aubameyang from the team last month for additional disciplinary reasons, most pundits and fans assumed the move would negatively affect the north London club. After all, a pair of <a href="https://www.transfermarkt.us/pierre-emerick-aubameyang/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/58864" target="_blank" rel="noopener">22-goal seasons</a> preceded the poor 2020/21 campaign.</p>
<p>This, however, has not been the case. As 2021 turned to 2022, the Gunners won five of their last six matches. Additionally, Arteta’s side look to be a much more threatening side going forward without their captain and highest-paid player. So how could Arsenal be playing better without Aubameyang? It appears to be down to tactics and team play.</p>
<h3>Arsenal without Aubameyang</h3>
<p>It is no secret that Arteta clearly needs his players to be good passers of the ball. This is particularly true as the Gunners advance forward. The Spaniard wants Arsenal to play quick and incisive passes, especially out wide with either the full backs or wingers. Movement and space is key here.</p>
<p>Historically, Aubameyang is clinical as a finisher. Yet, passing seems to be secondary to his skill set. As a result of Aubameyang’s various absences, Arteta employed one of, or even both, Alexandre Lacazette or Gabriel Martinelli. Lacazette and Martinelli link up with the midfield and each other better than Aubameyang.</p>
<p>Another area that Arteta focuses on is pressuring his opponents when Arsenal lose the ball. This is imperative to play for the Spaniard. Arteta comes from the school of Pep Guardiola where possession is principal. If your team has the ball, hold on to it. If not, urgently get it back. And, again, both Lacazette and Martinelli are clearly more prosperous in pressing and being a nuisance to the opposing players.</p>
<div><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-365195" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/WST_20220106_WST_365183_Screen-Shot-2022-01-05-at-1.47.09-PM.webp&amp;width=653&amp;height=381" alt="Arsenal without Aubameyang" width="653" height="381" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2022/01/Screen-Shot-2022-01-05-at-1.47.09-PM.png 653w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2022/01/Screen-Shot-2022-01-05-at-1.47.09-PM-300x175.png 300w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2022/01/Screen-Shot-2022-01-05-at-1.47.09-PM-600x350.png 600w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2022/01/Screen-Shot-2022-01-05-at-1.47.09-PM-150x88.png 150w" sizes="(max-width: 653px) 100vw, 653px"></figure></div>
<p>The team’s improvement in these areas are clearly directly impacting Arsenal’s performances over the last month. Arsenal are averaging 3.0 goals per Premier League game since Aubameyang was relegated to the sidelines. This is compared to the Gunners averaging just 1.2 goals per match in the 15 league games prior.</p>
<p>There are a number of reasons for Arsenal’s recent form, including <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/2021/12/20/arsenals-youth-project-continues-to-produce-results/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">development of young transfer window newcomers</a> and the resurgence of the midfield. However, the final third’s jump is particularly noticeable. Also, keep in mind that Gabriel Martinelli is just 20, showing room for improvement with decent statistics as things stand.</p>
<h5>Aubameyang and Arsenal’s future</h5>
<p>Arteta acknowledged the differences in his team’s play in recent matches following their 5-0 thumping of Norwich.</p>
<blockquote><p><em>“We are scoring more goals because we are getting into those positions in much better condition,” </em>Arteta said.</p>
<p><em>“Every process is done much, much better, and I guess better positioning and chances to the strikers. At the moment they are being really effective.”</em></p></blockquote>
<p>With the January transfer window in full effect, reports claim Arsenal is shopping Aubameyang around. Potential suitors get a lethal goal-scorer from years prior, but there are certain drawbacks. Issues with his disciplinary record, lofty wages and recent decline in output could turn teams away.</p>
<p>Regardless, it remains apparent that it is in the best interests of both parties for Arsenal to continue without Aubameyang in its plans.</p>
<div class="ckeditor-em"><iframe loading="lazy" width="100%" height="300" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/229182541&amp;color=%23ff5500&amp;auto_play=false&amp;hide_related=false&amp;show_comments=true&amp;show_user=true&amp;show_reposts=false&amp;show_teaser=true&amp;visual=true"></iframe></div>
<div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/worldsoccertalk" title="World Soccer Talk Podcast" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener">World Soccer Talk Podcast</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/worldsoccertalk/interview-with-arseblogs-andrew-mangan-about-arsenal" title="Interview with ArseBlog&apos;s Andrew Mangan about Arsenal" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener">Interview with ArseBlog&apos;s Andrew Mangan about Arsenal</a></div>


Arsenal without Aubameyang, its captain and perhaps most-famous player, are currently fighting for a top-four spot in the Premier League.

How Arsenal actually improve without Aubameyang - World Soccer Talk

How Arsenal actually improve without Aubameyang

<div id="attachment_351380" style="width: 1440px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><div><figure class="image"></figure></div><p id="caption-attachment-351380" class="wp-caption-text">Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images</p></div>
<p>Arsenal’s rebuild arrived out of necessity. In the previous two decades, the London-based club consistently finished in the top four of the Premier League. In fact, the Gunners qualified for <a href="https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/0239-0e970bbed6d8-1a5b9f71f4c2-1000--most-consecutive-uefa-champions-league-campaigns/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">19 straight Champions League group stages</a> until 2017/18.</p>
<p>Unsurprisingly, the fan base developed an expectation of domestic and, at least to some extent, European success. Now, Arsenal finds itself outside of the conversation for Champions League qualification. While Liverpool, Manchester City and Chelsea battle for Premier League titles, the club from the Emirates Stadium is simply a mid-table side.</p>
<p>Arsenal’s rebuild is one that will take time. Of course, different people have different perspectives on acceptable durations of rebuild before the club should blow it up and try again. In Arsenal’s case, the foundation is there.</p>
<h3>Patience with Arsenal’s rebuild</h3>
<p>Most sports fans don’t exactly react well to the word ‘patience’ regarding their favorite team. Unfortunately for many teams, supporters want convincing results immediately.</p>
<p>Nevertheless, there are some cases in which patience is undoubtedly needed. Perhaps the most common need for calmness and patience is when a particular team is young but shows potential. Or, the club’s manager is clearly building for the future. Both of these examples happen to be true at Arsenal right now.</p>
<p>Just four years ago, Arsenal’s players had an <a href="https://www.transfermarkt.us/premier-league/altersschnitt/wettbewerb/GB1/plus/?saison_id=2017" target="_blank" rel="noopener">average age of 26.5</a>, which was about average for Premier League clubs at the time. That middle-of-the-pack squad finished <a href="https://footballdatabase.com/league-scores-tables/england-premier-league-2017-18" target="_blank" rel="noopener">sixth in the Premier League</a>. Good for a Europa League spot, but not up to the standards and without a clear view for the future.</p>
<p>However, at the start of the current campaign, the Gunners now average just <a href="https://www.transfermarkt.us/premier-league/altersschnitt/wettbewerb/GB1/plus/?saison_id=2021" target="_blank" rel="noopener">24.1 years old</a>. Remarkably, this is almost a whole year younger than the second-youngest team, Brentford.</p>
<p>The nearly two-and-a-half year difference may not seem like a big deal to some, but they are the youngest Premier League squad since 2008/09 (also Arsenal).</p>
<h5>Transfer Window</h5>
<p>Manager Mikel Arteta and technical director Edu developed crystal clear plan for the summer transfer market for Arsenal’s rebuild. They wanted to buy young, talented players that both fit the club’s current system well and will progressive over time. All six summer signings by the north London club were aged 21-23.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em><strong><a href="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/2021/09/02/grading-europes-biggest-clubs-on-their-transfer-window-signings/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">READ MORE:</a>&nbsp;</strong></em><em>Grading Europe’s biggest clubs’ transfer windows.</em></p>
<p>Many pundits criticized Arsenal’s spending, which <a href="https://www.transfermarkt.us/premier-league/einnahmenausgaben/wettbewerb/GB1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">led all Premier League clubs</a> in terms of expenditure. Much of that came from the fact that many believed Arsenal needed immediate results, not future success. Even then, the new sextet of Gunners performed well in the opening pair of months this season. In fact, new defender Takehiro Tomiyasu was awarded as the club’s Player of the Month for September, with Aaron Ramsdale finishing second in the poll.</p>
<div id="attachment_344114" style="width: 310px" class="wp-caption alignright"><div><figure class="image"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-344114" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-344114 size-medium" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/WST_20211026_WST_351234_79a6f5517383ec18e9a9d317572a11b23db6da7d-300x200.webp&amp;width=300&amp;height=200" alt="" width="300" height="200" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/08/79a6f5517383ec18e9a9d317572a11b23db6da7d-300x200.jpg 300w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/08/79a6f5517383ec18e9a9d317572a11b23db6da7d-600x400.jpg 600w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/08/79a6f5517383ec18e9a9d317572a11b23db6da7d-150x100.jpg 150w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/08/79a6f5517383ec18e9a9d317572a11b23db6da7d.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px"></figure></div><p id="caption-attachment-344114" class="wp-caption-text">Photo credit: AFP</p></div>
<h3>Arsenal’s immediate results</h3>
<p>Along with this young crop of players, Arteta is also a young coach. This combination will almost certainly guarantee some growing pains along the way. Despite the fact that the Spaniard led Arsenal to another FA Cup trophy in his first season as a head coach, Arteta is still learning and will only get better leading his team.</p>
<p>Gunner supporters took to Twitter following a disappointing draw against Crystal Palace last week, with some large fan accounts even suggesting that the draw should be the end of Arteta’s days as the club’s manager. Four days following the discouraging match, Arsenal managed to bounce back with an emphatic victory of Aston Villa.</p>
<p>There will undoubtedly be ups and downs throughout the current campaign with this group of players, such is the nature of a young squad and a young manager.</p>
<p>However, there is reason to feel cautiously optimistic about Arsenal’s future. The more this young team plays, the more comfortable and confident they will be. Surely a handful of COVID-19 cases and injuries contributed to Arsenal’s <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/2021/08/25/arsenal-fall-out-of-premier-league-contention-after-worst-start-in-118-years/#comments" target="_blank" rel="noopener">slow start this season</a>. In fact, Arsenal’s first choice defending five (including goalkeeper) did not all play together until their win against Norwich on September 11. Since these players have been on the pitch together, the Gunners remain unbeaten in all competitions.</p>
<p>Some expected the so-called ‘process’ to progress a bit more than it has so far, but it was always going to take time. Arsenal have, however, seem to be headed in the proper direction.</p>
<p>With the club just three points adrift of a Champions League place with three-quarters of the season remaining, this group of youngsters should soon be back in contention for a European spot once again.</p>
<div class="ckeditor-em"><iframe loading="lazy" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/1145712904&amp;color=%23ff5500&amp;auto_play=false&amp;hide_related=false&amp;show_comments=true&amp;show_user=true&amp;show_reposts=false&amp;show_teaser=true&amp;visual=true" width="100%" height="300" frameborder="no" scrolling="no"></iframe></div>
<div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc; line-break: anywhere; word-break: normal; overflow: hidden; white-space: nowrap; text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif; font-weight: 100;"><a style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;" title="World Soccer Talk Podcast" href="https://soundcloud.com/worldsoccertalk" target="_blank" rel="noopener">World Soccer Talk Podcast</a> · <a style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;" title="Premier League Eyes $3 Billion Rights Deal In U.S." href="https://soundcloud.com/worldsoccertalk/premier-league-eyes-3-billion-rights-deal-in-us" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Premier League Eyes $3 Billion Rights Deal In U.S.</a></div>


The Gunners are not the squad they used to be. Arsenal's rebuild is a necessary one. Therefore, it should demand patience over pressure.

ALL POSTS TAGGED "alexandre lacazette"

Arsenal

Arsenal gamble again in the transfer market

Arsenal

How Arsenal actually improve without Aubameyang

Arsenal

Arsenal's rebuild requires patience with young roster