Surprising Riccardo Calafiori stat highlights glaring Arsenal weakness, it could kill their title bid
Arsenal have struggled to boast a serious attacking threat in their most important Premier League games so far this season.
In August, Arsenal were beaten 1-0 by Liverpool, and they took until the 93rd minute to find their equaliser in a 1-1 draw with Manchester City on Sunday, 21 September.
The Gunners’ dropped points against two of their potential title rivals sees them sitting five points behind league leaders Liverpool.
Meanwhile, former Man City goalkeeper Shay Given said Arsenal were lucky to score against Pep Guardiola’s men.
Riccardo Calafiori has taken more shots than any other Arsenal player in the Premier League
Former PGMOL chief Keith Hackett exclusively told Football Insider that Gabriel Magalhaes was lucky not to receive a yellow card against Man City.
Meanwhile, despite the presence of summer signing Viktor Gyokeres in attack, Arsenal lacked attacking threat against Guardiola’s side.
Arsenal’s relative struggles in attack have been summarised by the surprising fact that defender Riccardo Calafiori has attempted more shots in the Premier League than any other Gunners player.
Meanwhile, as Arsenal drew 1-1 with Man City, they managed just three shots on target despite enjoying the lions’ share of possession.
This lack of penetration and cutting edge is damning, and could kill their title bid before it properly gets off the ground.
Mikel Arteta needs more from Viktor Gyokeres
Arsenal signed Gyokeres in the summer transfer window in the hope that the former Sporting striker could help get them over the line in the Premier League title race.
| Viktor Gyokeres stats | Premier League 2025/26 |
| Appearances | 5 |
| Goals | 3 |
| Assists | 0 |
However, the 27-year-old failed to threaten against either Man City or Liverpool, which is a development that Mikel Arteta must rectify as soon as possible.
Gyokeres has adjusted to the Premier League reasonably well, having notched three goals in five appearances, but all his goals came against Leeds United and Nottingham Forest, who are weaker sides than the North Londoners.
Arteta desperately needs the former Coventry City hotshot to begin producing in more high-profile Premier League fixtures as well as in the Champions League.
Meanwhile, the Gunners must avoid an EFL Cup upset against Port Vale on Wednesday, 24 September, as Liverpool’s strong start to the top-flight season has already reduced Arteta’s chances of winning silverware, for the first time since their FA Cup triumph in 2020, this season.