Arsenal: 'Not enough' - 'toothless' Gunners miss out again after losing to Newcastle - Voice of Asia

Arsenal's first hope for a trophy this season was dashed by a defeat to Newcastle United, leaving fans lamenting the team's lack of an efficient striker once again. The 2-0 loss at St. James' Park meant they fell 4-0 on aggregate in the League Cup semi-final. Nevertheless, Arteta's team is still in the Premier League title race, currently six points behind Liverpool, and has advanced to the Champions League round of 16.

If Arsenal fails to win the Premier League or Champions League, their trophy drought since the 2020 FA Cup will extend to a sixth season. Head coach Arteta stated, "You need to be very efficient in both boxes on those days. That's what gets you closer to winning trophies, and today we weren't good enough." He added, "It's painful today, but tomorrow is a new day."

Former Arsenal center-back Matt Upson said on BBC Radio 5 Live: "For how well this team has done, for the setup that Arteta has created, they've had a lot of joy, but they haven't won anything. For what the club expects, that's not enough." This highlights the pressure on Arsenal to convert their progress into tangible success.

Arsenal is second in the Premier League this season with 49 goals, but they need a true striker, a leader of the line. Newcastle United has a player like Isak, and over the two legs, Newcastle had 17 shots, while Arsenal had 34, ultimately Newcastle won 4-0. Arsenal's need for a clinical finisher is becoming increasingly apparent.

Usually, football managers pretend to be happy after a transfer window where they failed to bring in new players, but Arteta admitted he was "disappointed" at not achieving his recruitment targets. Aston Villa rejected Arsenal's bid for England forward Watkins a week before the transfer window closed. Previously, rumors about their interest in Isak, Wolves' Cunha, Leipzig's Sesko, and even Brighton's Ferguson came to nothing.

This leaves Havertz as their only real option, but he is more of an attacking midfielder. Havertz has been decent, scoring 15 goals in all competitions, but that is not enough for a team competing for multiple titles. The German is joint 12th in the Premier League top scorers list with nine goals, level with Ipswich's Hirst, whose team is currently in the relegation zone.

Gabriel Jesus—their last striker signing (although he is also a winger) was in 2022—is currently injured, and star winger Saka is also injured, Saka was their only player to score 20 goals last season. Arteta said before Wednesday's game that Havertz may have to start every game for the rest of the season.

He said the other forward options he could field include wingers Trossard, Sterling, Nwaneri, and Martinelli. Martinelli went off injured against Newcastle, Sterling has one goal for the club, and Nwaneri is only 17 years old. The last time they had a striker score 20 goals in a season was Aubameyang (29 in 2019-20). Since then, strikers such as Aubameyang, Lacazette, Balogun, and Nketiah have all left the club.

Sweden's Isak, a reported target, showed what Arsenal is missing in Wednesday's game. He ran Arsenal's defense ragged, had a goal ruled out for offside by VAR, and hit the post leading to Murphy's first goal. He also scored in the first leg, one of his 19 goals this season. Arteta said after the game: "They were more efficient than us in the boxes, and that was the difference in the game."

Former Manchester United captain Gary Neville said on Sky Sports: "Isak on one side, Havertz on the other—imagine if they swapped shirts, what a team they would be. It highlights the lack of firepower Arsenal have compared to Newcastle." Former England midfielder Jamie Redknapp added: "Havertz does okay there, but does he do great? No. I almost feel sorry for him because he gets criticised, but Arsenal used to have great number nines, and the fans will know he is not in the same bracket as the players they used to have."

Redknapp continued: "The defenders couldn't cope with Isak, it was like they were seeing ghosts. That's what Arsenal don't have." While there may be some grumbling about Havertz, the fact is that he is their only player to reach double figures in all competitions—and the only one with significant experience as a forward.

Former Newcastle goalkeeper Shay Given said: "They don't have a lot of options. For Arsenal to achieve anything, they have to keep Havertz fit and wrap him in cotton wool. That's a big ask." Neville stated: "This Arsenal team needs a trophy." The pressure is mounting on Arsenal to secure silverware to validate their progress under Arteta.

Arteta won the FA Cup just seven months after becoming Arsenal manager—beating Chelsea 2-1 at Wembley on August 1, 2020. Since then, they have not won a trophy or reached a final, losing three semi-finals—two in the League Cup and one in the Europa League. Nevertheless, they have made significant progress under the Spaniard.

They have finished second in the Premier League in the past two seasons, behind only Manchester City—and they are currently second behind Liverpool. Between 2004-05 and 2022-23, Arsenal only finished second once. The former Manchester City assistant coach has led Arsenal back into the Champions League for the first time since 2016-17. Arteta has been backed in the transfer market—the club has had a net spend of around £500 million since he took over.

Spirits were high after the 5-1 win against Manchester City, keeping the pressure on Liverpool. Will that affect things? Former Newcastle winger Chris Waddle said on BBC Radio 5 Live: "Arsenal are out of the FA Cup and League Cup, they can now concentrate on chasing Liverpool, who are still in everything, and the Champions League." He added: "They won't be happy with the performance over the two legs, especially tonight. However, it might help them chase Liverpool."

Here are some fan comments: Murphy, Bedford: "I can't see Arsenal winning anything this season. When the big moments arrive, when they need a big performance, that fragile mentality rears its head again. Newcastle won comfortably." Danny, Salford: "You sometimes worry about the fragile mentality of Arsenal. On the edge. Angry. Often, brittle. Unable to build on what they perceive to be momentum. Arteta has a big job on."

Charles: "Just when you start believing in Arsenal after a great performance against Man City, they let you down again. Is there something wrong with the water in north London?" Nicholas, Belfast: "It's time Arsenal fans admitted Arteta doesn't have the mentality to get us over the winning line." Nick: "So Arteta has gone from 5-1 against Man City to 'doesn't have the mentality to get us over the line' in the space of three days. Fans are ridiculous sometimes."