Ian Wright believes Mikel Arteta has been forced to rely too heavily on the creativity of Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka and Arsenal must look to strengthen in the January transfer window.
Odegaard was sidelined for two months with an ankle ligament problem at the start of the season and it’s no coincidence that Arsenal’s revival in form over the winter period has coincided with their captain’s return to full fitness.
But just as Arsenal appeared to be building up a head of steam, an injury to Saka has threatened to derail the Gunners’ progress once again, with the England forward not expected to return until March at the earliest.
Saka has arguably been Arsenal’s standout player this term, racking up nine goals and 13 assists in all competitions, and his prolonged absence comes as a major blow to the club’s hopes of chasing down Premier League leaders Liverpool.
Gabriel Jesus’ resurgence has come at a good time for Arsenal, but Wright hopes his former club do not miss the opportunity to bring in reinforcements to freshen up the attack while they have the chance.
‘You do feel, with the way the injuries are coming at the moment, that it’s a big January for Arsenal,’ Wright said on ITV ahead of the first leg of Arsenal’s Carabao Cup semi-final tie with Newcastle.
‘I’m not sure what’s going to happen, hopefully something does.
‘When you also add into the mix someone like Bukayo Saka, who is our main protagonist, is missing as well, then the emphasis on creativity lies largely with Martin Odegaard, who has not been well recently.
‘You have to say there is a problem in that area.
‘But it is ultimately up to people to step up.’
Arsenal have been credited with a strong interest in Alexander Isak in recent months and Mikel Arteta’s men will undoubtedly have done their homework on Newcastle’s star striker in the build-up to tonight’s meeting at the Emirates.
But Isak struck in the 37th minute to continue his remarkable form in front of goal and Wright feels the Swede could be the finest centre-forward in European Football on current form.
‘They are [the form team in England],’ Wright said on Eddie Howe’s ‘very dangerous’ Newcastle side.
‘It looks like it’s very close to a starting XI that looks very strong and ready to take on anyone.
‘In that front three, [Anthony] Gordon, Isak and [Jacob] Murphy, with the pace and the skill… for me, Isak is the best No.9 in the country, probably very close to being the best in Europe at the minute.
‘It’s a very dangerous team, a very physical team. I’m very interested to see how they get on in defence but it’s going to be a big test for Arsenal.’
Newcastle have made it clear they will not be listening to offers for Isak or any of their key men this month, with Howe encouraging his players to ‘ignore’ the ‘noise and rumour’.
‘I think it comes with the territory now to be honest,’ Howe told reporters last week.
‘Maybe in my very early days that would have maybe left more of an impression, those comments. but I think when you’re in the position I’m in now you sort of ignore it and it’s irrelevant.
‘There will be so much talk, noise and rumour and you can’t control it all, you can’t even begin to try, so you just have to ignore it and focus on the facts I think.
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