Arsenal fans saw their side score their first goal of the Premier League season against Norwich on Saturday, as the Gunners secured their first win, but their impotence in the final third has been criticised
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Arteta praises fans after Arsenal win
Mikel Arteta’s side finally got off the mark in the Premier League at the weekend, as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s goal was enough to see off Norwich at the Emirates.
Arsenal headed into the international break rooted to the bottom of the table, as the Gunners endured their worst ever start to a top-flight season, failing to score in their opening three matches.
Although Aubameyang helped Arsenal to their first win of the season, Arteta’s side still appeared to be lacking in the final third, and fans have urged the Gunners board to secure a long-term centre-forward.
However, Folarin Balogun’s brother has revealed that he doesn’t think a new striker will solve Arsenal’s problems.
Arsenal may have a striking crisis on their hands in the very near future, as both Eddie Nketiah and Alexandre Lacazette could leave for free next summer.
The pair have both entered the final year of their contracts and both were subject to interest from other clubs in the summer, but Arsenal decided not to sell, which may prove costly.
This leaves Arteta with just Aubameyang and Balogan as the club’s recognised no.9 options, but the 20-year-old’s brother has spoken out about the manager’s tactics in a recent podcast.
Balogun’s brother, Royce, is convinced that Arteta’s tactics are failing to get the best out of his brother and the remainder of Arsenal’s forwards, and told What The Footie podcast: “When you look at that striker problem, in terms of chances created, it’s not just Folarin.
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“It was there when [Gabriel] Martinelli was playing there, when [Pierre-Emerick] Aubameyang was playing there… the system doesn’t work You can’t blame one player for that, it’s more the actual systematic thing.
“Whenever I talk to Folarin I tell him to keep going but the system just doesn’t really work at the moment.”
Balogun was given a brilliant opportunity in Arsenal’s Premier League opener against Brentford, but was hauled off after failing to impress during their 2-0 defeat to the newly promoted side, but his brother was critical that it’s Arteta’s system that’s the problem.
Arsenal have been rumoured to be lining up a January move for a new striker, with Youssef En-Nesyri from Sevilla one of the names carrying the most amount of weight.
But Arteta could see a positive change in his side if the system is adjusted, if Balogun’s brother’s beliefs are justified.
However, it may just take time for Arteta’s squad to gel, as £150million was spent this summer, with Martin Odegaard being the main attacking acquisition made in the recent window following a loan spell at the club last year.
Arteta will be hoping that his side begin to turn things around, as pressure continues to mount on the Spaniard.
