MX23RW : Thursday, April 18 11:49:21| >> :60:405:405:

Mikel Arteta challenges players to step up in Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang absence

Mikel Arteta challenges players to step up in Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang absence
© Reuters
Mikel Arteta still plans to send Eddie Nketiah back out on loan.

Mikel Arteta has challenged Arsenal's attacking players to step up in the absence of captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

The Gabonese forward received a red card for violent conduct during Saturday's 1-1 draw at Crystal Palace in the Premier League.

It means Aubameyang, who has 16 goals in all competitions this season, will miss the club's next three games, which includes a trip to Chelsea later this month.

Record signing Nicolas Pepe has found the net five times this term while Alexandre Lacazette has six goals to his name, but not struck for the Gunners since December 12.

Lacazette (left) has struggled for goals of late
Lacazette (left) has struggled for goals of late (Mark Kerton/PA)

"They have to make a step forward now. If he (Aubameyang) is not able to contribute to the team with goals like this, then someone else has to do it and I want to see that reaction too," Arteta said.

"Probably the most important player is missing so it is not nice, but we have other players who can play in that position and we will find a way and be as competitive as possible."

Brazilian youngster Gabriel Martinelli is Arsenal's second top goalscorer this season with a tally of eight, although the majority of them have occurred in cup competitions.

It was put to Arteta that one possible solution could be to hand Eddie Nketiah a chance up top after he returned early from his loan spell at Leeds.

He insisted: "At the moment we have to think mid-to-long term with Eddie. We have to respect his evolution and development and we don't have to make a decision just based on two or three games."

While it will take time for Arteta's methods to completely get over to his players, they have markedly improved since the latter days of Unai Emery's tenure and Freddie Ljungberg's brief caretaker spell in charge.

A big feature is an increase in Arsenal committing tactical fouls, although that slightly tipped over the edge at Selhurst Park with the visitors making 22 – the most they have made in their five matches under the Spaniard.

Mikel Arteta is pleased with the improvement in Arsenal's defensive work rate
Mikel Arteta is pleased with the improvement in Arsenal's defensive work rate (Tess Derry/PA)

"I ask them to go 100mph to chase the ball and to be very aggressive when we don't have it and to win it as quick as possible and they try to do that," Arteta explained.

"We need to know there are certain areas where we can do that and others against this type of team where it can be dangerous because they bring the two centre-backs up and put the ball into the box and you have to defend.

"It is a consequence and sequence of many things that happen afterwards and we need to know how to play these situations a little bit better. In terms of the effort and the spirit they show, it was top."

ID:385903: cacheID:385903:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:7428:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Manchester City's Sergio Aguero celebrates scoring their fifth goal against Aston Villa on January 12, 2020
Read Next:
PL Team of the Week - Aguero, Rashford, Van Dijk
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Manchester CityMan City32227376324473
2Arsenal32225575264971
3Liverpool32218372314171
4Aston Villa33196868491963
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs32186865491660
6Newcastle UnitedNewcastle321551269521750
7Manchester UnitedMan Utd32155124748-150
8West Ham UnitedWest Ham33139115258-648
9Chelsea31138106152947
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton321111105250244
11Wolverhampton WanderersWolves32127134651-543
12Fulham33126154951-242
13Bournemouth32119124757-1042
14Crystal Palace3289153754-1733
15Brentford3388174758-1132
16Everton3298153248-1627
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3379174258-1626
18Luton TownLuton3367204670-2425
19Burnley3348213368-3520
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd3237223084-5416


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!