Piers Morgan has criticized Mikel Arteta for failing to secure a “proper striker” after Arsenal’s 1-1 draw with Chelsea on Sunday. The result saw the Gunners drop crucial points in the Premier League title race, leaving them nine points adrift of league leaders Liverpool as they head into the international break.
Arsenal, who had been hoping to bounce back with a win at Stamford Bridge, took the lead in the second half thanks to Gabriel Martinelli’s goal. However, they were unable to hold on to the advantage, with Chelsea equalizing late in the game. Leandro Trossard missed a chance, which the referee ruled offside, summing up Arsenal’s frustrating afternoon and prompting Morgan to voice his frustration on social media.
“Absolute sitter missed at the death. God, we need a proper striker so badly. Why can’t Arteta see this??” Morgan tweeted, clearly angered by the lack of a clinical forward.
Arsenal’s striker situation has been a point of contention, especially with Kai Havertz filling in as a forward at the end of the 2023/24 season. While Havertz showed glimpses of form, many feel the club still lacks a proven No.9. Arsenal made an attempt to sign Benjamin Sesko during the summer transfer window, but the Slovenia international ultimately penned a new contract with RB Leipzig. However, reports suggest that Sesko may still be available next summer, as he has a ‘gentleman’s agreement’ with Leipzig that could allow him to leave after just one season.
Despite the dropped points, Arteta remained upbeat about his team’s performance, praising their overall effort. In his post-match interview with Match of the Day, he said, “I am very disappointed but very proud as well with what I have seen from the team again. We did the most difficult part by scoring the first goal, but I am disappointed with how we conceded.”
Arteta highlighted Arsenal’s dominance in the game, noting that despite the late equalizer, his team had outplayed Chelsea for much of the match. “The team reacted in a way that was fabulous with the desire to win, show initiative, take risks, and be dominant, but we didn’t manage to score the winning goal. They destroy every team that comes here, but I thought we were superb. We were unlucky.”
With the title race heating up, Arteta and Arsenal will need to address their striker dilemma if they are to remain competitive in the coming months.
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