Arsenal have been incredible under Mikel Arteta this season, as they push for the Premier League title and continue their run in the Champions League – but this Arsenal side are still not the finished article.
There is still some way to go for Arsenal to reach the perceived greatness of Manchester City, an absolute juggarnaut under the guidance of Pep Guardiola. There are still weaknesses in Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal side.
Not that you would know them, given the run of form in the second half of the season. Arsenal lost the first game of 2024, an FA Cup defeat to Liverpool. Out of 14 games, Arsenal won 11 – eight clean sheets.
The other results included a really impressive 0-0 draw with City, and the first-leg loss to Porto – which they have overturned. There is real potential for honours, but even if they do, improvement is needed.
Arsenal need to improve options on the left of defence in summer
Arsenal lack a striker that scores goals on a regular basis. Gabriel Jesus has said he has been playing with injuries and ultimately, the Gunners have to bring in a replacement. Depth in midfield is important, too.
But the main area of weakness at Arsenal right now is probably left-back. Oleksandr Zinchenko is far from his best at the moment and Jakub Kiwior is a centre-back. Kieran Tierney is out on loan at Real Sociedad.
It is an area of the squad that requires improvement even if Arsenal do go on to lift a trophy, whether that be a Premier League title, or the Champions League. Indeed, Zinchenko is seen as Arsenal’s weakness.
Alan Brazil and Andy Townsend discussed the former Manchester City star on TalkSPORT this morning, describing the 27-year-old as “flimsy”. Brazil even claimed the Arsenal man gives the ball away too much.
What Alan Brazil and Andy Townsend said about Zinchenko…
“The only area for Arsenal, Zinchenko. He’s a little bit flimsy and flaky,” Townsend said. Brazil interjected: “He gives the ball away a lot.” Townsend then continued, on Arsenal’s only weakness: “He can’t recover.
“If Kyle Walker ever makes a mistake, he can recover. But with Zinchenko, if he makes a mistake, he’s vulnerable. They’ve got Tomiyasu, Kiwior has stepped in and done really well,” Townsend analysed.
He is right. Zinchenko has been far from his best this season and realistically, if Arsenal are going to do become a heavyweight as City have been for the last few years – they can’t have any gaps like that.
A new left-back, and a striker, are required in the summer if Arsenal are going to maintain what Mikel Arteta has built over the last few years. They cannot continue to rely on Zinchenko on the left flank.
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