Newcastle struggles highlight why investment is needed.

The Gunners have shown improvements lately however their latest outing proved reinforcements are needed.

It has been a good month for Arsenal, four consecutive wins and including a hard-fought 2-0 over Newcastle in the FA Cup last time out. However, the way in which Arsenal scraped through the match further illustrated the need for signings to be made.

For the best part of 60 minutes, Arsenal seemed to revert back to their “old” style. Having plenty of possession yet lacking the creative spark to take advantage. Joe Willock was deployed in the No.10 role and never really looked like the creative force needed. He still is a “young” player, despite being 21 years old, however, he is more suited to a deeper role than a more advanced position.

Arsenal toiled away for the best part of an hour, with Mo Elneny and Dani Ceballos in the midfield along with Willock and it highlighted Arsenal’s struggles once again. A proper No.10 that can be the link between attack and defence and against Newcastle they simply did not have that, until Emile Smith Rowe and Granit Xhaka came on that is.

Now credit where credit is due, Xhaka was more positive than Elneny and actively looked to play passes forward and that helped the side, as did Emile Smith Rowe’s introduction. Now he has been hailed as Arsenal’s savior but if we are being truthful, he is probably not at the level where the side can rely on him week in and week out.

Because of this, it is even more crucial that Mikel Arteta and Edu identify their transfer targets early and get help as soon as it is available. Players have to be moved on first and with Sead Kolasinac already gone and Mesut Ozil and Sokratis close to leaving, finally some of the deadwood is starting to leave.

While a big Thomas Partey like signing is most likely out of the question as clubs will have to pay a king’s ransom for players to leave mid-season, so it is more likely that Arsenal could go for several loan deals.

Christian Erikson, Isco, and Diego Costa have been the names doing the rounds of late and Arsenal are still keeping a close eye on Norwich star Emiliano Buendia who seems the most logical signing that would command a transfer fee.

If the Newcastle match proved anything, it is that Arsenal are far too reliant on the younger players in Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe. While they have been the catalyst for the turn up in form, it is an inditement on the so-called “senior players” in the Gunners squad that have been shown up time and time again.

WIllian has been at the forefront of criticism from fans and rightly so, however he is not the only senior player who has seen their starting positions taken by young kids who show real determination when on the pitch and clearly offer far more to the side.

The fact that Willian and many of the other squad members in Ozil, Sokratis, and Mustafi are on big wages, yet either are not deemed good enough or have had their place taken by the younger, hungrier players is as much a bad look for the club as it is for them.

They were paid big wages to be critical parts in the side yet barely put in performance’s to warrant their pay-packet.

The need for investment is crucial in January and even more so to get players out the door, not on loan but sold. David Luiz, Sokratis, Ozil, and Mustafi all have their contracts up at the end of the season.

It is highly doubtful that they will be handed new terms with most of them already in the process of finding new clubs. That will free up a ton of wages that can be used on other player or improving contracts.

The fact that Arsenal has gone on this four-match winning streak without Thomas Partey and Gabriel, with the defender missing the last couple of matches after coming into close contact with someone who had Covid, makes it more impressive. However the winning streak should not take away from the fact the reinforcements are desperately needed.

Players need to be moved on and it has been made clear that players need to leave before any can be brought in, so it is imperative that the clear-out happens and happens soon. As there will be a time where Smith Rowe and Saka run out of steam or form and that is when Arsenal will be found wanting.

It is a good sign that Kolasinac has already found a new home and Mesut Ozil looks to follow suit and they should be followed by more as the deadline date approaches.

Edu has publicly stated that Mikel Arteta has the full backing of the board and in January we will see just how much faith they have in the Spaniard.

January is going to be an important month for the Gunners, it is clear that improvements are needed, but will Arteta get them? Or will it all fall on the younger players to get the club up the table?

Time will tell.