Does Arsenal need an immediate rescue in attack?

This concern has been amplified by back-to-back losses, first to Manchester United in the FA Cup via penalties, and then a 2-0 defeat to Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup.

Arsenal seems to lack a reliable striker, a challenge that has persisted since last season. Instead of addressing this issue, Arteta and the club's management prioritized strengthening their defense and midfield in the summer transfer window. 

While these moves enhanced other areas, the team's goal-scoring ability has dwindled, leading to growing discontent among fans.

In their last two matches, Arsenal attempted a staggering 49 shots, with only 10 on target. Against Newcastle, they registered 23 shots but still lost 2-0. In the match against Manchester United, they managed 26 attempts, with Gabriel a center-back scoring their only goal.

During the summer transfer window, Arsenal overlooked opportunities to sign prolific strikers such as Benjamin Šeško of RB Leipzig or Viktor Gyökeres of Sporting CP. 

Instead, they acquired Riccardo Calafiori for the defense and Mikel Merino for midfield, neither of whom could significantly boost the attack. Additionally, Raheem Sterling, brought in on a last-minute loan, has struggled to make a meaningful impact in his 12 appearances for the club.

Injuries have exacerbated Arsenal's struggles. Key players like Bukayo Saka and Ethan Nwaneri, instrumental in the team's recent success, are sidelined. 

Gabriel Jesus, their primary striker, also sustained an injury in the Manchester United clash. These absences have left Arsenal with a toothless attack, as highlighted in their recent performances.

Former Arsenal player Theo Walcott and pundit Micah Richards believe the attacking struggles are the root cause of Arteta's challenges. Walcott commented, "Arsenal has great players but needs a top-level striker to finish games effectively." Richards added that Arsenal cannot win trophies without a dependable striker.

Following the loss to Manchester United, Arteta admitted, "In football, you achieve nothing if you can't put the ball in the net." His statement underlines his awareness of the team's primary issue, although a concrete solution is yet to emerge. With the January transfer window still open, Arteta has a chance to sign a striker who could fill this gap.

Arsenal is at a crossroads, competing against teams with world-class attackers. To restore their status as serious contenders for top honors in England and Europe, decisive action must be taken swiftly.