The weight of a potential Premier League title, a drought stretching back two decades, rests heavily on the shoulders of Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal. Their recent 2-1 victory over Wolves, secured with a late goal, maintained a slender two-point lead over Manchester City, but a critical observation has surfaced: a concerning over-reliance on one player.
Bukayo Saka, undeniably Arsenal’s brightest spark, created both goals against Wolves, highlighting his pivotal role. However, former England defender Micah Richards believes this dependence is a dangerous flaw that could unravel their title aspirations. The Gunners are reaching the crucial stage of the season with no single player beyond Saka, Gyokeres, and Trossard reaching even five goals.
Richards argues that Arsenal’s creativity in the final third is becoming too predictable, funnelling almost exclusively through Saka. He implores other attacking talents – Martinelli, Trossard, and even Eze – to elevate their contributions and share the burden of unlocking defenses. Opponents are already recognizing this pattern, deploying compact formations designed to stifle Saka’s influence.
A potential solution, according to Richards, lies in integrating summer signing Noni Madueke more effectively. While Madueke has largely played a supporting role, Richards believes Arteta needs to find a way to unleash both Saka and Madueke simultaneously, recognizing Madueke’s superior impact coming from the right flank.
Madueke recently showcased his potential with a two-goal performance in a Champions League win against Club Brugge, a display that prompted Arsenal legend Martin Keown to question whether the young winger deserves a more prominent role. Keown suggested a dynamic front line featuring Saka on the right and Madueke on the left could be a potent force.
The challenge for Arteta is clear: diversify the attacking threat. Simply relying on Saka to consistently produce moments of magic will become increasingly difficult as teams tighten their defenses. Arsenal need to demonstrate greater imagination and unlock the potential within their squad to truly cement their position as title contenders.
This weekend’s trip to Everton presents another stern test. Last season’s encounters with the Toffees yielded only two points from a possible six, demonstrating Everton’s ability to frustrate Arsenal’s attacking ambitions. Arteta must find a way to break down stubborn defenses and prove his team can win games through multiple avenues, not just the brilliance of one player.
