Arsenal receive triple striker transfer message as clear Mikel Arteta problem exposed again

Mikel Arteta saw two of his biggest Arsenal problems become brutally clear in the Premier League defeat to Newcastle. The Gunners boss watched on helplessly from the touchline as he attempted to change the game with tactical subs, but none of Gabriel Jesus, Oleksandr Zinchenko, or Ethan Nwaneri were able to make a lasting impact.

The Magpies were deserved winners, with Arsenal missing a creative midfield presence and also a natural striker at key moments with Bukayo Saka, despite his best efforts, unable to inspire his team to find a way back into the game. In his post-match press conference, Arteta delivered an honest verdict of how his side performed.

"We started really well," he began. "I think we were on top of it, we looked sharp, we looked alive. And then one action, which they are really good at - they put the ball wide and have an unbelievable cross and finish. And then momentum changes, energy shifts.

"You know the game they want to play. It’s clear. You get dragged into that kind of game too often and we weren’t good enough and didn’t have enough answers to get out of that constantly, especially to create the threat that we needed and discussed about."

With all that being said, football.london has taken a look at the biggest Arsenal transfer headlines and club updates.

Triple striker message

Over the same weekend, Arsenal managed just one shot on target in their defeat to Newcastle; three striker transfer targets all scored. On Friday night, Viktor Gyokeres hit four for Sporting CP before Alexander Isak, against Arsenal, and RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko were both on target the following day.

READ MORE: Mikel Arteta response to Alexander Isak transfer question speaks volumes about Arsenal squad

READ MORE: Every word Mikel Arteta said on Newcastle defeat, title race and Thomas Partey at right-back

All three have been strongly linked to the Gunners, but Arteta and Edu opted to stick by Kai Havertz, with that decision perhaps coming back to bite them.

football.london says: "No matter how many goals Havertz scores, he is not and probably never will be an elite-level finisher. Isak, despite his struggling form, needed just one chance to find the back of the net, whereas Havertz often requires a number of opportunities before he takes one.

"On the same weekend, three high-profile names associated with Arsenal all scored, and Arteta has been shown very clearly what he must now do. One particular moment highlighted the need for a new No.9 with that goal-scoring instinct when Saka flashed a ball across the six-yard box and no Arsenal player was there for an easy tap-in.

"Until that calibre of forward is acquired, the Gunners will struggle significantly to win any meaningful silverware."

Odegaard problem

Alongside their clear striker issue, Martin Odegaard missing action with an ankle injury continues to be a major problem. On Saturday, Arsenal lacked a player with an eye for a killer pass or someone capable of taking the game by the scruff of the neck, though Saka certainly tried his best.

"Yeah, we don’t have him," Arteta replied when asked about the impact of his absence. "We can discuss that all day long. We haven’t had him for the last four or six weeks, and we don’t have him yet. But we have many other answers that have been very effective. Today we need to look at ourselves and congratulate Newcastle and move on."

football.london says: "Though he is on the verge of returning, Arteta still needs to find a solution and do so quickly. There will likely come another period when Odegaard is unavailable, and a replacement or plan to make up for his absence must be prepared.

"Hopefully, by that point, Arteta will be comfortable unleashing Ethan Nwaneri with the 17-year-old, even showing now how good he is. Arsenal's next two games are again away from home, with trips to Inter Milan and Chelsea coming, and if Odegaard cannot make either, a backup plan is needed.

"The Gunners dominating possession is unlikely, and thus they must be decisive in key moments when chances present themselves."