Arsenal’s shortcomings were shown up as their Premier League title hopes took a major hit at West Ham on Sunday. A second successive game where the Gunners threw away a 2-0 lead proved that Mikel Arteta needs to make three signings in the summer transfer window.
It was almost a carbon copy from the draw at Anfield seven days earlier. Arsenal appeared to be in cruise control in both matches when they eased into 2-0 leads.
The goals from Gabriel Jesus and Martin Odegaard on Sunday were a joy to watch. But the visitors didn’t kick on and find that vital third goal.
They were punished for not doing so on Merseyside and it happened again at the London Stadium. Express Sport looks at three new signings Arteta must look to make at the end of the season to prevent such occurrences in the future.
Centre-back
Rob Holding is a good professional but he is simply not at the standard Arsenal are aspiring to be at. The drop-off from William Saliba to Holding is glaring and it affects the players around him.
Saliba’s injury has come at the worst possible time. He has been out for a month and there is still no timeframe on when he will be fit to return.
Holding is the only other right-sided centre-back in Arteta’s squad. It is an area that needs desperate improvement in the summer.
Declan Rice
If Rice needed an audition, then he passed it with flying colours on Sunday. Arsenal are hoping to sign the midfielder and Arteta will have seen first-hand what he could bring to his team.
As Rice shone for the Hammers, Thomas Partey had one of his worst performances in an Arsenal shirt. It could be Partey’s spot that Rice takes if he does move to the Emirates.
It will be no consolation to Arteta right now that Rice performed so well against his team. But deep down he will be hoping he will be on his side from next season.
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