Arsenal suffered a further setback in their bid to secure a Champions League spot this season as they lost 2-1 away to Bournemouth on Sunday.
With Alexis Sanchez seemingly on his way to Manchester United, according to various reports, the Chilean was left out of the matchday squad entirely and with Mesut Ozil injured as well, a despondent Arsenal side struggled against the hosts.
Here are three things we learned from the encounter.
WILSHERE AND RAMSEY MUST PLAY TOGETHER
It’s more than a little concerning that Jack Wilshere returned from a long injury lay-off only in December and is already Arsenal’s best player on the pitch.
With Ozil sidelined and Sanchez nearing the exits, the Gunners are seriously short of quality in the final third.
The onus has been on Wilshere to drive forward from midfield and keep the team ticking over with his passing and he was once again the standout performer against Bournemouth.
Arsenal have missed the injured Aaron Ramsey but with the Welshman back in training and part of the matchday squad on Sunday, perhaps it’s time Wenger lines him up alongside Wilshere again.
Granit Xhaka has been less than impressive and the North-London outfit desperately need quality players in their first XI. Rather than playing either Ramsey or Wilshere, perhaps a switch in formation is required in order to incorporate both.
Jack Wilshere
ARSENAL NEED REINFORCEMENTS
A switch in formation would definitely help to a certain extent. For one, the rather unconvincing back-line of Calum Chambers, Shkodran Mustafi and Rob Holding wouldn’t need to be deployed if they switched to a more traditional back four.
With Laurent Koscielny, Nacho Monreal and Sead Kolasinac all injured, Wenger has bizarrely persisted with the system and they were exposed as a result, as was their lack of depth.
Apart from the defensive, Sanchez’s imminent departure also warrants recruitment which is why a deal with United which involves Henrikh Mkhitaryan is arguably the best for both sides.
Ozil’s future isn’t certain either with his contract running out in the summer as well, further bolstering the argument to bring in new players.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan
GIROUD IS SORELY MISSED
Alexandre Lacazette has now gone over 11 and half hours without a goal in the Premier League. The Frenchman has of course suffered from a lack of service in the absence of Ozil, Sanchez and even Ramsey to an extent but not having his compatriot to come on and bail the team out has been an added blow.
Olivier Giroud hasn’t been first choice for Arsenal this season, making only 10 starts in all competitions, but still registering seven goals, often securing a result for his side in the process.
Without Sanchez and Girould to turn to, Wenger’s options up front are limited with only Danny Welbeck offering an alternative to Lacazette when the summer signing isn’t getting much joy.
Giroud can’t return to the fold soon enough for the Londoners.
Alexandre Lacazette
