Arsenal

Alex Howell
BBC Sport football news reporter

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The debate about whether Arsenal need an elite striker to get over the line and win a trophy has started again.

The Gunners have finished second in the Premier League for the past two seasons and have not won a trophy since lifting the FA Cup in 2020.

Mikel Arteta has said that one player may not be the answer to his side's goalscoring problems, or be the difference in winning a trophy, but Newcastle forward Alexander Isak showed him what an impact an elite striker can have.

Isak scored the first and had a big hand in Anthony Gordon's second goal as the Magpies beat Arsenal 2-0 in the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg on Tuesday night.

The Gunners have been criticised this season for not creating chances but in the match with Newcastle they could not finish the ones they did create.

Arsenal had 23 shots during the game with just three hitting the target.

Gabriel Martinelli struck the post and Kai Havertz, Arsenal's best option in the striker role, headed a simple chance wide.

It has been a tricky season for Arteta's side with injuries and illness to key players at bad times making it difficult for them, but the question is still there that if they had an elite 20-goal-a-season striker, would they be in a better position?

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Former Premier League striker Glenn Murray says the Carabao Cup final is not completely out of reach for Arsenal but they have got to find a way to break down Newcastle in the second leg.

The other area the Gunners will have to work on is being more clinical and adjusting to playing without Bukayo Saka. Since the winger's injury, Arsenal have not created as many chances, nor been as ruthless from set-pieces.

"They have got to find a way to sort this and that falls on Mikel Arteta and the training team," Murray told BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast. "They are a top quality group of individuals and they do play as a team so they will find a way.

"But it is just a shame for them that when Manchester City fall away for the first time in years, after Arsenal have pushed them, they haven't been able to clean up after them.

"We saw how Newcastle sat back and soaked up that pressure and they could probably do that for 90 minutes at St James' Park because of the organisation and level of belief they have.

"They will harness the crowd and momentum, so from an Arsenal point of view it makes me think how can they break down this side?

"A month is a long time in football. In this moment it is Newcastle's time, but things can soon change."

Listen to the full discussion on BBC Sounds

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Arsenal have work to do at St James' Park on 5 February if they are to turn around a two-goal deficit to progress to the Carabao Cup final.

In the first leg on Tuesday, Newcastle consistently frustrated the home side, making it difficult to break through the walls of black-and-white shirts.

"Apart from Kai Havertz's header, Arsenal didn't really have time to pick a spot for any of their chances because they were rushed by Newcastle," former Premier League striker Dion Dublin told BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast.

"They were rushed in energy and the way they were forced to then take their shots had to be as fast as they could - that meant there was no control at all.

"It was good workrate by Newcastle. Arsenal will have to match that in the reverse fixture if they are to recover."

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We asked for your views on Newcastle's 2-0 Carabao Cup semi-final first leg win over Arsenal at Emirates Stadium on Tuesday evening.

Here are some of your comments:

Arsenal fans

Mike: It confirmed the debate on whether Arsenal need a new striker. Alexander Isak was the difference. If he'd have been in a red shirt it would have been a different game. The Kai Havertz chance was the confirmation we need - a free header five yards out and he shoulders it wide. Mikel Arteta needs to stop blowing time and money on 12-goal-a-year forwards thinking he can make them into prolific ones and just buy a proven goalscorer.

John: So much at stake in a big game and players didn't turn up. You could see players were out of their depth. If Arsenal don't win anything this year, I think Arteta has a lot of thinking to do. He surely must realise he can't depend on the squad he has. The next four games will define our season.

Stu: Players recovering from illness and injury, coupled with the loss of our star Bukayo Saka meant we couldn't cope with an excellent bang-in-form Newcastle side. We have a mountain to climb this month but let's get behind our boys.

Vince: Tired and toothless - it looks like top four in the league is all we're going for again. We should be going all out in every game, especially in one-off cup matches, but in the last two or three the opposition have had more desire to win. Losing Saka was bad yes but there's still enough quality there to make a difference. There's no excuse, even if they don't buy anyone this month.

Newcastle fans

Phil: Excellent performance by the whole team. It is true that Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon scored the great goals, assisted by Jacob Murphy, but the midfield and defence were always well organised and greatly assisted by Martin Dubravka (won't we miss him?) who ensured we kept a clean sheet again! Well done Eddie Howe - you and the lads deserve silverware for this season's performances.

Pete: Toon were well organised and played to their strength. Probably one of the best defensive performances under Howe. Newcastle deserved to win and hopefully will go on to lift the trophy. It's been a long wait.

Phil: What a performance! It was an all-round top shift from all the players but Isak is incredible. He utterly confuses the best defences again and again. To be fair, how can the opposition know what he will do next when often he doesn't? Most fans are annoyed with all the constants Isak-to-Arsenal links - they frankly couldn't afford him!

Rod: Simply a magnificent performance masterminded by Eddie Howe's set-up. Totally committed from kick-off to the final whistle. Just unbelievably good!

Arsenal are interested in Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams, 22, but will be unable to move for the Spaniard this month because of financial constraints. (Talksport, external)

Want more transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

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Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, speaking to Sky Sports after defeat by Newcastle in the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg at Emirates Stadium: "That was the biggest difference - [being clinical] in the game. In every other aspect, we were the better team.

"They scored two goals and credit to them as they managed to win the game like this.When we missed the chances and conceded the goal it is always tough, but the team reacted.

"We generated a lot of situations, but it is true, they defended the box very well.

"We can do better with our decisions. We had a one-v-one chance with the keeper and in a semi-final you have to be clinical."

On Alexander Isak's goal: "I have seen the goal and it is something they do - they create the chaos, and it gets to the wrong player and Isak puts it away."

On the second leg: "We have to be disappointed as it's another result that we wanted, but that's the reality. I have full belief. I have seen my team playing against them - I believe we can do it."

Michael Emons
BBC Sport journalist

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Having just seen his side lose at home for the first time this season, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta remained in defiant mood.

Asked about his team's chances of overturning a 2-0 home loss to Newcastle in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final, the Spaniard said he had "full belief" Arsenal could turn the tie around and still get to Wembley.

"We have to be disappointed as it's another result that we wanted, but that's the reality," he added. "I have seen my team playing against them - I believe we can do it."

Alexander Isak, a player that has long been heralded as the sort of striker Arsenal desperately needed, was the difference between the sides, scoring the first, making the second for Anthony Gordon and giving Gabriel and William Saliba a torrid time.

But Arteta would have been left frustrated that the Gunners had not gained a better result before the second leg at St James' Park on 5 February.

Gabriel Martinelli shot against the post, Kai Havertz misjudged a header from six yards when the ball bounced off his shoulder and Jurrien Timber and Saliba had chances from excellent inswinging corners.

Arsenal have seven matches in all competitions before they can focus on the second leg, but in the back of their minds they know they will need a special performance in the north east next month if they are to fight back and get to Wembley.

Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?

Have your say on Arsenal's performance

What did you make of Newcastle's display?

Come back to this page on Wednesday to find a selection of your replies

Pat Nevin
Former footballer and presenter

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Nothing infuriates more than the entire 90 minutes of a football game being ultimately decided by a questionable referee's decision.

The decision to give Brighton a penalty for what was clearly an accidental clash of heads, was the decisive moment for Arsenal. I immediately felt the officials had got it wrong.

Then I thought again. Consider if William Saliba was going for the ball with his foot, missed the ball and accidentally kicked Joao Pedro, that would clearly be considered a penalty. So, why should it be any different because it was his head that made contact while trying to win the ball and failing? On top of this, they had the VARs recheck it and they agreed too. The officials had decided the outcome, but this time in a good way.

Except they didn't. Maybe they rushed through the angles back at Stockley Park, because the video assistant referees were regularly hammered for being too slow last season. Shortly afterwards, an angle was discovered that showed Saliba's head had got the slightest glance on the ball. Quite simply, smoking gun evidence that it should not be a penalty. Who is to blame for this error?

The blame at least in part lies with the fans, pundits, media, players and indeed managers for complaining about how long VAR took to get the decisions right last season.

We have to make up our minds.

Do we want to wait and ensure the big decisions are correct or do we accept incorrect rushed decisions like this that will decide games and maybe even the destination of the Premier League title?

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Laura Kirk-Francis
Fan writer

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Some Arsenal fans may have allowed themselves a smirk on Sunday as heavy favourites Liverpool struggled to put away a resurgent Manchester United side, who would have been fearing the worst ahead of their trip to Anfield.

The 2-2 draw leaves the gap at six points, but Liverpool do have a game in hand - which is not ideal, but they are within reach. Yet, the broader picture, particularly after the draw against Brighton on Saturday, is sobering. While eyes are fixated on rivals slipping up, Arsenal are in no position to take full advantage.

Arsenal had carved out a reputation for attacking flair and incisiveness, with intricate plays between midfielders leading to some of the league's best team goals. This has all but disappeared in the past few weeks or some would argue, this entire season.

A disjointed attacking setup, not helped by injuries and illnesses, has led to an overreliance on set-pieces. The lack of dominance from open play must be addressed immediately if Arsenal are to keep up the pressure on Liverpool.

January sees Arsenal playing nine games across all competitions, but there is one thing Arsenal must find: momentum. The team this season has been consistently inconsistent, and the coming weeks could be pivotal for both league position but also confidence.

Rather than fixating on Liverpool's struggles, and there were plenty on Sunday, Arsenal fans need to concern themselves with their own team's issues, of which there are many. For a team synonymous with beautiful attacking football, they must rediscover this identity in the coming games.

January could ultimately make or break Arsenal's season, and Liverpool's draws will not matter if Arsenal fail to seize the moment.

Find more from Laura Kirk-Francis at the Latte Firm podcast, external

Pat Nevin
Former footballer and presenter

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On BBC radio last week I was discussing the importance of Arsenal missing Bukayo Saka. The suggestion was that Ethan Nwaneri might be a bit too young, raw and inexperienced to replace him.

I countered that Mikel Arteta should trust the kid. Youngsters are generally introduced gradually to the top flight, but now and again a talent comes along who is simply good enough, no matter what age he is.

Nwaneri debuted for the Gunners aged 15 and although having only played 14 Premier League games, the now 17-year-old already looks good enough to be trusted. I do not say he is as accomplished as Saka yet, but that he could have a positive effect.

The positive effect was a first-half goal that eventually won his team a point. He was replaced at half-time through injury, although not before being yellow-carded for time wasting. It absolutely was not his fault, his team-mates messing about owe him an apology for slowing down his corner kick!

The teenager needs more time on the field, not less, and that might just keep this Arsenal side nipping at Liverpool's heels.

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Alex Howell
BBC Sport football news reporter

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Arsenal are in talks with Myles Lewis-Skelly about a new contract following his breakout season so far, according to club sources.

The 18-year-old made his Premier League debut in the 2-2 draw with Manchester City in September and has gone on to have a big impact for Mikel Arteta's side.

Lewis-Skelly made his first start in the Champions League against Monaco in December and followed that up with his first start in the Premier League against Everton two days later.

Arteta has shown faith in the youngster and, during his run in the team, Lewis-Skelly started ahead of Riccardo Calafiori, Oleksandr ZInchenko and Kieran Tierney.

Although naturally a central midfielder, Lewis-Skelly has been playing as an inverted left-back.

The England youth international signed his first professional contract in October last year and is set to be rewarded with a new deal for his progress.

Nicola Pearson
BBC Sport journalist

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has been speaking to the media before Tuesday's Carabao Cup semi-final first leg against Newcastle at Emirates Stadium (kick-off 20:00 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Arteta confirmed Ethan Nwaneri has picked up a "muscular injury" that will keep him out "for a few weeks".

• On the 17-year-old, he added: "He has earned the right to step up and play for us and now he starts some big games and to impact them in way he has done is big for him. I'm gutted for him as this is going to stop that a bit, but it is another step in the development phase he is on."

• The Gunners boss also confirmed there are still issues with illness in the squad but he is hopeful Kai Havertz will be back for Tuesday's game.

• On if penalties like Brighton's at the weekend being given will make defenders more nervous going for balls in the box: "I don't know. I gave my opinion. Unfortunately, we've played twice against Brighton and one for 45 minutes with 10 men and another with a penalty that is clearly not a penalty. But those are the conditions we played and we can't change it now."

• Arteta refused to confirm if the Gunners would be active in the January transfer window, but added: "We set very high standards and really want players here and coming here, whether from the academy or signing them, who are going to elevate the team. Otherwise, bringing bodies does not help us."

• Asked about reports left-back Kieran Tierney could be returning to Celtic: "Absolutely no news. Kieran is our player."

• On difficulties of finding solutions with so many absent players: "A very good learning process. Not just tactically but also in preparation and training with very few players with us. Today we had seven or eight players in the squad, which is unknown - but a way to learn as well. That is how I take it and I can't change it."

• Arteta said they are "very excited" to play Newcastle and have the "opportunity to earn the right to be in a final". He added that he is "expecting a big atmosphere" in the stadium.

Catch up on Monday's news conferences and football news

Alex Howell
BBC Sport football news reporter

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It is fair to say that this season has been challenging so far for Arsenal.

The draw with Brighton on Saturday summed up how their season is going

Start well and take the lead in a game before a selection or injury problem causes Mikel Arteta an issue.

This time it was that Ethan Nwaneri, who scored the opening goal in the game and had come into the side to replace Bukayo Saka the match before, had to come off with a "muscular issue".

Around this time last season, Arteta was able to take his side to a winter training camp in Dubai to work on issues, but does not have theatluxury this time.

Arsenal have nine games this month in every competition they are involved in. Next up they have Newcastle in the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg before playing Manchester United in the FA Cup on Sunday.

Arteta started the match at Brighton without captain Martin Odegaard, who had not been able to train because of illness, Kai Havertz, who was not well enough to be in the squad, and Saka, who is out with a lengthy hamstring injury. Gabriel Martinelli was only fit enough to be on the bench.

That is Arsenal's best front four and the lack of chances the Gunners created showed how much they missed them.

It is a quick turnaround between matches throughout this month so Arteta faces a challenge to get his side fit and firing if they are to stay competing for trophies on all fronts.

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We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Brighton and Arsenal.

Here are some of your comments:

Brighton fans

Sarah: The first half was a walk in the park for Arsenal. Our defending was non-existent and our players all seemed to be playing their own game. Karou Mitoma is a phenomenal player but his technique on the touchline in the second half didn't work, with the ball going out of play six times. Joao Pedro's head collision was a clear penalty. The equaliser perked us up and we subsequently played much better. I actually thought we deserved to win but Arsenal are obviously a strong side, so no shame in a draw.

Shark: A good point after a poor first half. Arsenal had a couple of injuries but no one mentions that we were without Danny Welbeck, Evan Ferguson, Lewis Dunk, James Milner, Jack Hinshelwood, Mats Wieffer and Ferdi Kadioglu. We have been without all of these players, except for Dunk, for several weeks.

Paul: Definite penalty. Brighton were by far the better team and deserved to win. Arsenal looked far from being title contenders. Manchester City will finish above them.

Andy: Once again, Brighton fail to convert their obvious skill, class and dominance into points. A young team, developing their skills and relationships, should be allowed some lassitude. Besides, they have not been losing too many games. If they click like they can, watch out!

Arsenal fans

Ajayi: Arsenal were generally poor. They didn't play like a team that wanted to be champions. Brighton were more determined to get something from the match and they truly did. On the penalty, I think it's a controversial one. Premier League officials get football fans confused year in year out, and I believe something needed to be done about this.

Melvyn: The penalty decision? It is what it is - but both players headed the ball before the head clash, as the close up on Match of the Day confirms. It's a shame it wasn't outside the penalty area as it would have been a free-kick. We could have done with Gabriel Jesus scoring again but Arsenal have discovered a young star in Ethan Nwaneri. I hope his injury isn't too serious.

Poppy: All this game showed to me is why we need to sign attackers, preferably attackers who can and will put the game to bed instead of relying on players like Bukayo Saka and Nwaneri.

Salva: Mikel Arteta is about to fail again because of this single-mindedness. This team will not move forward without a balance of good strikers and players who can score goals. This rubbish of a false number nine cannot work. He reminds me of Arsene Wenger and he may end up not winning anything at Arsenal. He needs to listen to other voices, his cannot be the most accurate one all the time.

Alex Howell
BBC Sport football news reporter

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Ethan Nwaneri looked to have solved the issue on the right-hand side of Arsenal's attack, following the injury to Bukayo Saka.

The 17-year-old started his first Premier League game in the 3-1 win over Brentford and impressed with a positive performance.

Nwaneri then started and scored the opening goal in the 1-1 draw with Brighton but did not appear after half-time.

Mikel Arteta was asked why the attacking midfielder didn't come out for the second period, with the manager revealing that he is now on the lengthy injury list at Arsenal.

"Really bad news because I think we have lost him. We had to take him off at half-time with some muscular issues," Arteta said.

The Gunners are already missing Saka with a long-term hamstring injury and Raheem Sterling with a knee injury. Kai Havertz missed the game at Brighton with illness and captain Martin Odegaard was only well enough for the bench, after also suffering with illness.

Arsenal play Newcastle in the semi-final of the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night at Emirates Stadium.

Gary Lineker introduces highlights and analysis from Saturday's seven Premier League fixtures.

If you missed Match of the Day, you can catch up now on BBC iPlayer.

Listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Crystal Palace 1-1 Chelsea

• Brighton 1-1 Arsenal