Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has sounded the alarm on his team's attacking woes after their recent win at Leicester, with teenage star Ethan Nwaneri being the sole exception to an otherwise underwhelming performance from the team's forwards.
Despite securing a hard-fought victory, Arteta could not help but express his concerns over the lack of impact from his attacking players, with Nwaneri being the standout performer on the day.
The 16-year-old midfielder was a class above as he took to the field, showcasing a level of maturity and skill that belied his tender years. His impressive display was a shining light in an otherwise struggling attack, and Arteta was quick to sing his praises.
However, the same could not be said for the rest of Arsenal's attacking contingent, who failed to make a significant impact on the game. Arteta's admission that his attackers struggled to impose themselves on the match will be a cause for concern for the Gunners boss, who will be looking for a marked improvement in the coming weeks.
The victory at Leicester was a welcome one for Arsenal, but it also highlighted the team's reliance on individual brilliance rather than cohesive team play. With Nwaneri being the exception, the rest of the attack struggled to create clear-cut chances, and it was only through the teenager's efforts that the team was able to secure the win.
Arteta will be aware that his team cannot continue to rely on the brilliance of one player, and he will be working tirelessly to address the attacking woes that have plagued his team in recent weeks. The manager will be looking to his experienced players to step up and take on more responsibility, and to find a way to get the best out of his attacking talents.
As for Nwaneri, his performance will have done his chances of breaking into the first team no harm. The teenager has already shown that he has the talent and the temperament to compete at the highest level, and it will be exciting to see how he develops in the coming months.
Arsenal's victory at Leicester was a welcome one, but it also highlighted the team's obvious issue - a lack of cohesion and impact from their attacking players. With Arteta sounding the alarm and Nwaneri stealing the show, it promises to be an interesting few weeks for the Gunners as they look to address their attacking woes and find a way to get the best out of their talented squad.