'Inconsistent attack a key issue to address'

Oli Price-Bates, The Fresh Arsenal podcast

It is difficult not to talk about the referees when reflecting on the Newcastle game. It was a tight affair, with Arsenal being on the wrong end of the big decisions.

But the Gunners have two home games this week, which provide an opportunity to get back on track before the break.

A key issue on the pitch for Arteta to address is the inconsistent attack. When Gabriel Jesus is not present, the frontline too often lacks the rhythm and patterns of play that made it so devastating last season.

Eddie Nketiah netted a hat-trick versus Sheffield United, but does his presence centrally hinder the effectiveness of Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli? Arteta needs to find the right balance in the middle to help get the best out of his star players.

While a reinforcement may arrive in January, there is a lot of football to be played before then and Arsenal need to click with more consistency.

It feels like a centre forward with more link-up ability works better in this Arsenal side, so Arteta may be wise to use Leandro Trossard or Kai Havertz to spearhead his attack against Sevilla.

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