Set-pieces can’t carry Arsenal forever: Can Arteta win the Premier League without a true scorer? | OneFootball

For a side in control of the Premier League title race and flawless in Europe this season, there's anxiety among the Arsenal fanbase.

A home defeat to Manchester United represented a setback to their title challenge at the weekend, while old wounds have been opened.

For three consecutive seasons,Arsenal have ended the campaign as Premier League runners-up. Leads were blown in 2022-23 and 2023-24, as Manchester City's experience and stamina told. Last season, injuries prevented any genuine hopes of challenging Liverpool.

Depth was added in the summer. In terms of net spend,Arsenal splashed a Premier League-leading £257m. In came Cristhian Mosquera and Piero Hincapie for defensive depth, while Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke brought Premier League experience in attacking areas. Martin Zubimendi was the standout signing in midfield, and Viktor Gyokeres arrived billed as the final piece in the puzzle. It hasn't quite worked out like that.

Arsenal top the Premier League, but their position as leaders comes despite a misfiring forward line. Mikel Arteta's side are reliant on set-pieces, with just three teams scoring a higher percentage of their goals from dead-balls in the Premier League this season. Arsenal have scored only 20 times from open play in the league, less than 12th-placed Brighton.

The eye test tells a similar story.Arsenal's offensive options look stifled, even over-coached. There's a predictability to their game and, often, an over-patience.

Gyokeres, scorer of just three non-penalty goals in thePremier League, will take the brunt of the criticism, but the Swedish striker is not alone. Bukayo Saka looks a shadow of his best level, while others have flattered to deceive.

AsArsenal chased an equaliser against Manchester United, the sight of a packed six-yard box signalled desperation as much as danger.

AreArsenal's attacking issues symptomatic of Arteta's tactical plan? Or do the Gunners lack top-tier quality in the final third?

Few teams win titles without a reliable goalscorer. Across thePremier League era, only five teams have won the title with a leading scorer who managed 15 or less league goals; Manchester United in 1992-93, 1995-96 and 2000-01, Chelsea in 2004-05, and Manchester City in 2020-21.

The lowest leading scorer in aPremier League title-winning team managed 13 goals. Arsenal's top league scorers as we enter February are Gyokeres and Leandro Trossard, each with five.

Expanding out of England, there are some, albeit rare, cases of title-winning teams without a reliable goal threat.

AC Milan memorably won Serie A in 1993-94 despite scoring just 36 goals as a collective. There were, however, exceptional circumstances. The Rossoneri conceded just 15 goals all season, the second-best defensive season in the history of Europe's top five leagues.

In Spain, Valencia won the 2001-02 La Liga title despite leading scorer Ruben Baraja scoring just seven times.

It happens, but it's not common.

Arsenal remain favourites for a drought-breaking title - and rightly so. Across the last four seasons, the Gunners have been arguably Europe's most consistent team.

But Arteta needs more from the players he signed to be difference-makers. As the run-in heats up, so will the pressure.