Xavi Simons, Jamie Gittens and Liam Delap (photo of Stuart Franklin, Jan Kruger/Getty Images)
Thoughts in a painful league league exit
This was one of the most painful European outings I remember for Arsenal. And it is not because of the way they came out, it is because there is only a real feeling that this was a huge lost opportunity for the club.
The final price was a short distance, but it fell agonizing through the club’s fingers, and it was not well equipped enough to take advantage of the possibility they had this season.
You cannot fail the performance on Wednesday night. It was largely excellent from the Paris team. They played very well, showed courage, dealt with the atmosphere and created possibilities. But they did not find a way to mark.
Gianluigi Donnarumma had an incredible night. In fact, I had an incredible tie on both legs. But at the moment huge, you have to find a way to overcome the best goalkeepers and Arsenal couldn’t.
At both legs they had a higher XG than PSG. They created better possibilities. But they scored once in 180 minutes despite creating all these opportunities. At the highest level, it will never be enough.
And it is the story of the Arsenal season. In the league they have scored one or no goals in 17 of 35 games and each exit of the Cup has been dominated by the lost possibilities. Arsenal does not have enough players who can score goals or increase the biggest moments.
The frustrating is almost everyone would have told you that at the beginning of the season. The injuries have not helped, but even if Kai Haviertz and Gabriel Jesus were available last night, you could say safely that none of them could have taken on one of the possibilities that were created.
There is a lack of ruthless in attack. The club was massively played in the last two transfer windows sitting in their hands and doing nothing to strengthen the attack options and Gamble has gone back.
It cannot be said with certainty that a suitable striker would have achieved them on the line this season, but he would certainly have given a better chance of winning one of the trophies they now want.
My mind goes back to the speech Mikel Arteta gave after Everton’s game on the last day of last season when Arsenal had just lost the Premier League title at Manchester City.
“Don’t be satisfied,” he told supporters. “We want much more than this and we will achieve it.”
But it is hard not to look back the two past windows and feel The powers found in the arsenal were satisfied And a little too comfortable with how things went.
They had a massive opportunity to push it and to go -really, but they chose not to push the boat and achieve what was needed to give this squad the tools they needed to overcome the line this season.
Arsenal was stopped last summer when they really have to go. This is a mistake that cannot be repeated this time.
Liam Delap linked but looks like a wrong sign for arsenal
So many forwards will be related to the arsenal between now and summer. Viktor Gyokeres and Benjamin Sesko are the two names that feel most likely to give rise to something right now, but others will continue to mention.
I have seen Liam Delap spoke and, while I think he had a good season for Ipswich and that he will have a good movement this summer, I would be surprised to be in Arsenal.
A 30 million pound launch clause is tempting, but I do not see the arsenal signing two forwards in this near window and there is no way that Delap reaches the first option of the club.
This would ask for too much and would not be a play that would go well with the fans.
Arsenal will spend a lot on a striker and I don’t see someone like Delap.
Arsenal is sure to invest in one end: Jamie Gittens could be one to see?
The reason why I do not see Arsenal buy two forwards this summer is that I think they will spend great money on another end.
Of course they need another option to the width, someone who can add to what already has and help them open games.
As I said last week, I’m not sure I have to be one end and out. It could be someone who can play extensive, but can also result in central areas and share the creative load with Martin Odegaard. Someone like Ebechi Eze or Xavi Simons.
Reports in Germany suggest this Arsenal is looking at Jamie Gittens And that would be interesting.
He is a player who would describe as an end and out. It is still quite raw, but it has this ability to truly run the defenders and bring the long ball. This is something that is currently lacking in arsenal.
It also has rhythm, which must definitely be added to the template.
At this point I can’t say who will sign the arsenal. I don’t think anyone can. The club will have its goals and we will only have to wait and see who they get.
I still think that Nico Williams would be the first choice of Arteta. But we all know now that it can be difficult to overcome the line.
Arsenal should not sell Gabriel Martinelli or Leandro Trosard
Even with an end that was expected to enter, I don’t really see why one from Gabriel Martinelli or Leandro Trossard should leave.
Arsenal needs a lot of good attack options. Arteta needs to have enough players at your disposal that you can turn safely and give the players rest when needed.
He clearly believed that he has not been able to do this for the last two seasons and it is difficult not to think that the injuries we have seen have been a direct result.
So if it is a case of one, one of the summer, the template will only be in the same type of shape.
Obviously, if there is a truly tempting offer for someone like Trossard or Martinelli, the club should consider it, but it should be a very good offer.
And even then they would need to replace it. I just don’t think a new broad attacker will be enough this summer if someone should leave.
If you really pressed me who would prefer the club to sell this summer from Martinelli or Pung, I would probably go for the latter because of its age and contractual situation.
But again, it would not be something that would be desperate to see.
