#54 - It's time to win a Cup

Arsenal lack all the tools to win a 38-game league season right now, but there's opportunities for silverware, starting on Wednesday

Another game, another lack of open play creativity and finishing. 4 points dropped against Fulham and Everton.

You need the tools to beat down these small teams to win the title. Arsenal’s improvements defensively have coincided with much better results against the top teams, but the reality is now that for the third season in a row, our inability to beat up the smaller sides, is why Arsenal have not won the league.

This is something we need to tackle tactically and in the transfer market. Arsenal have scarcely recruited forward players in recent years and perhaps lack a bit of adventure tactically when trying to break teams down.

Look at the games against Fulham and Everton, if we threw caution to the wind and lost one of those and won the other, we’d be in a better position (+1 point). That’s something Arteta needs to reflect on.

We’ve tinkered with a 3-5-2 shape in previous years when needing a goal, but we see nothing of the sort these days.

Ultimately I think the squad and tactics need to improve to win a 38-game league season. But we have an incredible defence and a top-quality team, capable of winning any tie on their day. If we aren’t in a title race come March, that lift of pressure and ability to rotate in the league could put us in a great position for a trophy, or two, this season. The Champions League would be a dream, and it’s not impossible.

League Cup, an inconvenience becomes an opportunity

Wednesday's team selection will be very interesting. Arsenal host Crystal Palace in the quarter-final of the League Cup. A kinder draw this season has presented a real opportunity to win a trophy.

We need to win a trophy this season and whilst the League Cup is the worst of the lot, there's a big opportunity to win it.

I wouldn’t take any risks with players who are struggling, for example, if Rice, Timber, Odegaard are playing through knocks, leave them out and rest for the league game against Palace on Saturday. Otherwise, I would be going strong.

Palace look good again, so it’s going to be a tough week, up against them in the cup and league in the space of a few days.

Ismaila Sarr was electric against Brighton and will cause whoever we select at left-back issues. It’ll be interesting to see if Arteta lets Gabriel rest and Kiwior come in again. I think Mateta’s power and Sarr’s pace will cause issues, so if Gabriel is fit, I’d be playing him. It would be nice if Calafiori was back soon too.

A few weeks ago I wrote about how Arsenal could keep the full-backs fresh and keep a good attacking dynamic. I think given Timber probably needs a break, this would be a great time to try starting Odegaard and Nwaneri together.

Champions League - one big signing could do it

In the Champions League, I really think we have every chance. Like our chances in any competition, they would be boosted with an attacking signing in January, but I think we can beat anyone in Europe on our day.

Our defensive numbers are so elite we can shut teams out. I think we need at least one more difference-maker in the final third. If the club can show ambition and push the boat out in January - it could get us over the line. A trip to Anfield aside, I don’t really fear any other European matchup right now, and it’s been a long time since I’ve felt that way.

The FA Cup starts tough, hosting Manchester United in January. But perhaps a big fixture like this to kick things off whets the appetite for yet another FA Cup.

If Arsenal finished in the top 4 and won the Champions League and a domestic trophy, it would be one of the best seasons ever. That is why we must not simply write the season off. Through a mix of external (January additions) and internal (tactical tweaks) changes, Arsenal can still turn this season into an excellent one.

There’s the dose of positivity you ordered.