Arteta: Arsenal have the talent to be more ruthless
Today at 06:05 AM
A comfortable Arsenal win over Monaco, achieved courtesy of three goals scored from open play, should temporarily dispel claims that Mikel Arteta’s side is overly reliant on set-pieces.
At the same time, having had several opportunities to put the game to bed much earlier, including a trio of one-on-one opportunities squandered by Gabriel Jesus (twice) and Martin Odegaard, an old criticism resurfaced – the Gunners aren’t clinical enough in front of goal.
For Jesus, who has netted once in 33 appearances for Arsenal, the malaise appears terminal – the result of a huge dip in confidence following a serious knee injury suffered two years ago at the Qatar World Cup.
Hoping things soon click for the Brazil international, Mikel Arteta says the only thing he can do is keep giving the striker minutes on the pitch.
Asked about how he boosts Jesus’ confidence, Arteta replied: “Nothing, just to put him in front of goal like he's done today on a couple of occasions, and there are millimetres, centimetres to if the goal goes in or not.
“He was there, he looked really alive, he had created the first goal from a great move and that's him, so we have him back he's with us and I'm sure he will contribute to the team.”
As for how he and his coaching staff make the team more ruthless, he continued: “We have a massive responsibility. I cannot kick the ball but we can coach them, we can teach them and sometimes they have to take a step back as well, it's a decision they have to take.
“They cannot be thinking about what they have to do, what we've told them as well. We try to provide the right information and right tools so they can understand the defence, understand the keeper – a lot of things that we work on – and after that, it's their execution.
“It's a difficult thing to do in football but they have a lot of talent to deliver that.”
Having scored 19 goals in six matches, it’s not like the Gunners are incapable of putting the ball in the net. It’s more a case of them leaving goals on the table.
Given how tight things are at the top of the Champions League standings, it’s clear goal difference is on the manager’s mind.
"I'm disappointed we didn't score another three or four, especially in the first half, because we had some big, big chances,” he told Arsenal.com.
“That's going to be crucial and looking at the table and how tight it is, [goal difference] is going to be really important. We're in a good position, we still have a lot to do, so one more."
Arsenal now face a six week break from the Champions League before the opportunity to secure a top eight finish with a win against Dinamo Zagreb. A final league phase match at Girona on 29 January will round things off. Given the standard of the opposition, we’re well-placed to avoid an unwanted two-leg play-off.
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