Mentality, attacking depth & more – four issues Mikel Arteta must address at Arsenal

On the back of a bitter-sweet campaign, Mikel Arteta faces the daunting task of going head-to-head again with defending champions Manchester City for the Premier League title.

The Gunners came desperately close to clinching their first league title in nearly two decades last season but faltered at the final hurdle for reasons that they now must fix to ensure they go all the way next term.

Since Arteta’s appointment, Arsenal have improved in leaps and bounds. The Spanish tactician has done his very best to imbibe a winning mentality into not just the squad, but the club as a whole.

However, significant challenges still plague the Gunners, and we highlight four crucial issues that Arteta must address if they plan to beat Man City in the race for the elusive title next term.

Gabriel Jesus

Gabriel Jesus has become somewhat of an enigma at Arsenal. The Brazilian winger undoubtedly improved Arteta’s side, which was expected, considering he won four Premier League titles with Man City.

His style of play compliments Arteta’s tactics, with the Spaniard heavy on free-flowing attacking football. But the former Flamengo man has never been the type of striker to guarantee 20 goals a season.

Jesus was instrumental for the Gunners last term, scoring 11 times and assisting seven, but he has never smashed the 14-goal mark in his Premier League career.

The Brazilian’s mental weakness is also a potentially ominous sign after recalling a time at Man City when Pep Guardiola reduced him to tears and made him want to leave the Etihad Stadium.

The importance of a 20-goal striker, especially for a side chasing the ultimate crown in English football, cannot be understated, leaving Arteta with a difficult choice to make.

The Spanish boss needs to decide if he would place his trust in Jesus to fire Arsenal to the Premier League title or add an elite striker to this summer’s shopping list.

Specialised right-back

Takehiro Tomiyasu remains the only recognised right-back in the Arsenal squad, but his recurring injury problems have made him unreliable.

Arteta has always preferred Ben White in that position, but he is naturally a centre-back, and the Gunners need to find a more specialised right-back to support the Englishman or allow him to return to the centre-half role.

Jurrien Timber, who is on the cusp of joining the club, is also capable of playing at right back. But like White, he is more accustomed to featuring at centre-back.

Midfield reinforcement

Declan Rice’s impending arrival has been the highlight of Arsenal’s transfer window, with the Englishman set to arrive from West Ham United in a mega-money deal.

However, his imminent arrival has also raised questions about the long-term future of Thomas Partey, who has been linked with an exit, especially after Granit Xhaka’s departure.

Both players formed the backbone of the Arsenal squad over the years. But with Arteta spearheading a midfield revamp, Partey could follow his Swiss counterpart, who has joined Bayer Leverkusen, out the door.

Partey’s potential departure could leave the Gunners with only Declan Rice and Jorginho as defensive midfield options. Arteta could need at least one more to add depth in the middle of the park.

Attacking depth

Having signed Leandro Trossard from Brighton & Hove Albion in January, Arteta has given himself more options in the attacking third. But he still needs to sign a right winger to back up Bukayo Saka.

The England international was an ever-present figure for the Gunners last season, making 48 appearances.

But the absence of a reliable back-up meant Arteta had no choice but to constantly call on the 21-year-old forward.

Saka proved instrumental to Arsenal’s success, but without a reliable replacement, the youngster was burnt out from all the responsibility on his shoulders, leading to a significant reduction in his output toward the end of last season.

Arsenal have already begun splashing the cash in the summer transfer window, but Arteta needs to find a suitable back-up to support the young Englishman on the right flank.