In January, interim sporting director Jason Ayto had the opportunity to boost Arsenal’s title challenge by signing a new striker.
Alexander Isak was linked but that move was impossible over the winter and will likely still be impossible come the summer.
Benjamin Sesko continues to be touted with a move and it was reported that the Gunners at one stage had agreed personal terms with Wolves’ Matheus Cunha.
So, by the time the deadline surpassed at the beginning of February, no deals were done.
Mikel Arteta subsequently hailed Kai Havertz for his fitness and availability, only for the German to suffer a season-ending hamstring injury, joining Gabriel Jesus on the sidelines until next term.
Therefore, it’s hardly a surprise that their title challenge is derailing. Arteta’s side may have a game in hand on league leaders Liverpool but the Reds are 15 points clear. The league is a foregone conclusion.
It’s safe to say the interim solution hasn’t gone well and that was abundantly clear against Manchester United on Sunday.
Mikel Merino’s performance in numbers vs Man Utd
Mikel Merino has done an admirable job since being forced into a makeshift forward role.
With news of Havertz’s cruel injury blow during their warm weather camp in Dubai, the Spaniard was ultimately promoted against Leicester.
Introduced as a second half substitute, Arsenal were drawing 0-0 away at the Foxes until Merino came up with the goods, scoring twice.
Since then has found the net in the Champions League against PSV but a lot of his general play has left much to be desired.
It’s difficult to get frustrated at the player himself, he’s not a natural forward, but it’s criminal that the Arsenal hierarchy left the club in a position where they don’t have a proper striker.
Sadly, Merino saved his worst performance as a forward for their trip to Old Trafford on Sunday.
He had one chance of note, pulling an effort wide from the edge of the area early in the first half but didn’t pull up many trees that moment aside.
Somehow lasting the full 90 minutes, the former Real Sociedad man trudged from the pitch having completed just 71% of his passes and not registering a single effort on target.
So, the experiment has to end, but what will that mean the attacking positions look like?
Well, it either involves pushing Leandro Trossard into a central role or playing the returning Gabriel Martinelli as the focal point.
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Yet, if Merino does remain up top as is expected, Trossard is the man who must be sacrificed for Martinelli.
Leandro Trossard’s performance in numbers vs Man Utd
Since signing for Arsenal in a bargain £27m deal, the Belgian has proven himself to be a valuable player.
Only Bukayo Saka scored more than Trossard’s haul of 17 last season but amid the Gunners’ teething problems in attack this time out, he has become a scapegoat.
The former Brighton man has still scored on six occasions and supplied a further seven assists but it’s not the Saka-like levels Arsenal require to get near a Liverpool team boasting Mo Salah.
Trossard is a fine player. He’s optimal as a sub or playing the best part of 60 minutes but in a demanding game like United, you need someone with a bit more life and a bit more vigour.
Unfortunately, that’s been left wanting throughout several of his recent appearances. He did find the net against PSV last time out but that was his first strike in nine games. The 30-year-old simply hasn’t been scoring the goals Arteta craves.
Like Merino, the winger’s performance this weekend was a concerning one. Handed a 4/10 match rating by GOAL, they stated that it was ‘one of those days where nothing really worked for him’. That just about sums up his recent form.
Minutes played
90
Touches
52
Accurate passes
29/35 (83%)
Shots on target
1
Shots off target
3
Successful dribbles
1/1
Big chances missed
1
Key passes
2
Accurate crosses
0/2
Duels won
4/8
Possession lost
12x
Fouls
2
Tackles
2
There were several key moments in the game when Trossard should have done better too. Chief among them was giving away a “silly foul” – in the words of Arsenal podcaster Jamie Kent – which led to the free-kick from which Bruno Fernandes netted the opener.
He also missed a cutback in the second half, one of three efforts that were off target.
With Martinelli back, Ethan Nwaneri firing and Saka potentially set to step up his recovery after the international break, Trossard should be looking at a situation where he’s not in the starting lineup anymore. He simply isn’t good enough to be a regular starter.
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4 ByMatt DawsonMar 9, 2025