Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta hopes the Champions League can provide a much-needed spark for his injury-hit squad after their Premier League title hopes faded.
The Gunners are now 13 points behind league leaders Liverpool, making a first domestic title in 21 years highly unlikely. With their trophy drought stretching to five years, Arsenal’s best chance for silverware lies in conquering Europe for the first time. A favorable last-16 draw against PSV Eindhoven could buy Arteta time to recover key attacking players.
The squad has been severely weakened by injuries, with Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus ruled out for the rest of the season due to hamstring and knee injuries. However, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli could return for the quarter-finals if Arsenal progress.
The absence of these key forwards has been evident, as Arsenal failed to score in their last two league games against West Ham and Nottingham Forest. Midfielder Mikel Merino has been used as a makeshift striker, while teenager Ethan Nwaneri has filled in for Saka on the right wing.
“I know that what’s lacking is that piece up there,” Arteta admitted. “There’s a lot to play for, and we need to find the solution to unlock it. We have the Champions League, a beautiful competition ahead of us, and we have to be ready for Tuesday.”
Arsenal’s struggles in attack have been a recurring issue this season. The team managed only one shot on target in their goalless draw at Forest last week—the ninth time this season they have failed to score. Captain Martin Odegaard has also struggled to replicate his form from previous seasons following an ankle injury that sidelined him for two months.
Arteta, like many managers, has pointed to the demands of an intense schedule as a major challenge. “He [Odegaard] came back strong and performed at a high level,” said Arteta. “But maintaining that consistency, especially for creative players, is very difficult.”
Despite their attacking issues, Arsenal can rely on their strong defensive record. They boast the Premier League’s best defense and have been one of the most solid teams in the Champions League this season. Only Inter Milan conceded fewer than Arsenal’s three goals in the group stage, which included clean sheets against Paris Saint-Germain and Atalanta.
PSV manager Peter Bosz previously highlighted Arsenal’s defensive resilience after his side suffered a 4-0 defeat at the Emirates in the group stage. “As soon as we got to their box, the attack was over. How is that possible?” Bosz remarked at the time.
The Dutch champions’ recent struggles provide further optimism for Arsenal. PSV have lost twice to Go Ahead Eagles in the past week and are winless in four league games, aside from their impressive 3-1 victory over Juventus to reach the last 16.
Despite their attacking woes, Arsenal will be confident of progressing to the quarter-finals, where they could face Real Madrid or Atletico Madrid. If Saka and Martinelli return in time, the Gunners may yet find the firepower needed to keep their European dream alive.
