Arsenal's impressive season has sparked an intriguing debate: can a team win the Premier League without a regular goalscorer? The Gunners have been dominating the league, with only two defeats in all competitions, a 100% record in the Champions League, and a six-point lead at the top of the Premier League. However, they have not had a player who consistently scores goals, which has raised questions about their chances of winning the title.
No team has ever won the Premier League without having a player in the top 10 goal scorers. Manchester City's Erling Haaland has already netted 20 league goals this season, while Arsenal's top scorers, Leandro Trossard and Viktor Gyokeres, have only managed five goals each, ranking 21st in the goalscoring rankings. Despite this, the Gunners have scored 40 league goals, with only Manchester City scoring more.
Arsenal's attacking options have been limited, with Gyokeres struggling to replicate his form from his time at Sporting in Portugal, where he scored 97 goals in 102 games. The Swedish international has looked severely lacking in confidence, with only eight touches and no shots in Arsenal's last league game against Liverpool. He has scored just once from open play in the last 15 games, which has been a disappointment for the 27-year-old.
"The last few minutes, I was just watching him move and his awareness, the way he needs to move, when he needs to move in relation to where he moves, it's just a joy to watch," said Mikel Arteta, Arsenal's manager, about Kai Havertz's return from injury.
The return of Kai Havertz has changed the dynamics of Arsenal's attack. The German international has missed most of the season due to a lengthy hamstring and knee injury but made his return in the 4-1 FA Cup win over Portsmouth. Arteta has hinted that Havertz could become the starting striker as soon as he is fit, which would give the Gunners a much-needed boost in attack.
With Gabriel Jesus also returning from an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in December, Arteta now has three strikers to choose from, after having to rely solely on Gyokeres. This increased competition could lead to a change in fortunes for the Gunners, who have been relying on their midfielders and defenders to score goals.
Is it an issue if Arsenal don't have a regular scorer? The lowest ever goal scorer from a Premier League-winning side is Frank Lampard with 13 goals when Chelsea lifted the trophy in the 2004-05 campaign. This was matched by Ilkay Gundogan in Manchester City's 2020-21 title-winning season. Arteta believes that the goals should be spread throughout the team, rather than relying on one player.
Arteta's focus is on the team's performance, rather than individual goal scorers. "The good thing is that the team is performing really well and winning matches, and that's what we need," he said. The Gunners' manager is confident that his team can win the league without a 20-goal striker, and history suggests that it is possible. Chelsea's 2004-05 title-winning side, for example, did not have a player who scored more than 13 goals in the league.
As the season progresses, it will be interesting to see if Arsenal can maintain their lead at the top of the Premier League without a regular goalscorer. With Havertz's return and the increased competition in attack, the Gunners may finally have the firepower they need to win their first league title since 2004.
Original: BBC Sport
Image: BBC Sport
Written by Npsports
