Arsenal’s left-wing dilemma: What’s the answer?

As Gabriel skied his penalty into the Budapest night, it felt like a "what if" for Arteta’s side after a valiant showing against an imperious Paris Saint-Germain.  

Faultless in the league phase and breezing through a relatively favourable side of the draw, Arsenal had navigated their way to the latter stages with ease, but their forward line had often looked blunt. 

Bukayo Saka struggled for consistency, Martin Ødegaard was hampered by knee problems and Gabriel Martinelli and Noni Madueke bagged a combined three Premier League goals. 

When most managers can cut down on discontent and deflated figures in the aftermath of a heartbreaking loss of this nature, Arteta was a man possessed. 

The Spaniard displayed his burning desire to embark on a dynasty for the club he turned out for as a player for five years, highlighting how they will have to be ‘very ambitious, very fast and very smart’ in the transfer market to reach new heights. 

A laboured transfer window eventually burst into life with the long-awaited arrivals of Bruno Guimaraes and Ezri Konsa, yet they were unable to recruit the ready-made superstar they were crying out for on the left-hand side of attack. 

Christos Tzolis has shown plenty of promise following his switch from Club Brugge, while the Eberechi Eze experiment has done little to alleviate the questions surrounding their forward line in the first month of the season. 

A transitional summer of failed targets

Even before their first Champions League final since 2006, links to Morgan Rogers signalled Arsenal’s intent. 

Fresh from a stellar campaign at Aston Villa where he enjoyed the most productive season of his career, his versatility across the forward line seemed to perfectly fit Arteta’s system. However, his British record £117 million price tag seemed to deter Arsenal, with Chelsea eventually swooping in for the England international. 

Links to Vinicius Jr always seemed far-fetched, but the internal optimism in north London that a deal could be agreed should the Real Madrid star fail to sign a new contract underlined their serious ambition. 

A strategy reminiscent of Sir Alex Ferguson’s renowned approach of acquiring the best players to further improve his squad, Arteta was desperate to lure Julian Alvarez away from pursuing his Barcelona dream.

Nonetheless, the former Manchester City man was unwilling to return to British shores, which all but ended Arsenal’s search for a ‘needle-mover’ left-winger, with solutions from within having to be found. 

Concerns of not having a decisive, game-changing forward were reinforced with the sanctioning of Gabriel Martinelli’s move to Al-Hilal for £60 million with no like-for-like replacement coming through the door. 

Compounded by Leandro Trossard’s departure earlier in the window, this left Tzolis as the only recognised left-winger for a side expected to complete across all fronts this season. 

Where the problem lies

Such concerns were somewhat quelled in a dominant Community Shield triumph over Manchester City, where the Greek forward flourished before carrying that form into a curtain-raiser triumph over Coventry City.

However, a trip to Villa Park saw him hooked at the break with Tzolis having next to no impact on the game, as Eze came on in his place. 

He immediately endeared himself to the squad after a big-money move from Crystal Palace last summer, most notably netting a devastating hat-trick in an emphatic derby win over Tottenham Hotspur as well as a vital late equaliser against Manchester City.

The 28-year-old showed glimpses of brilliance, but this season was one where he is expected to take his game to the next level and perhaps make the left-wing role his own. His cameo in the West Midlands left more questions than answers though, before Tzolis was back in against Chelsea.

This rotation signalled Arteta’s ongoing dilemma over who is best suited to slot into his well-oiled machine, but Eze’s cameos against Napoli and Sunderland were the ideal opportunity to showcase exactly why £67.5 million was forked out for him. 

There is no doubting his incredible technical ability, yet his off-the-ball work has left plenty to be desired. The ex-Crystal Palace fan favourite isn’t as defensively orientated as Tzolis, but his tendency to lose possession cheaply and lack of intensity are driving factors behind why he has been unable to nail down a regular starting role. 

His nonchalant persona could easily be facilitated at Selhurst Park in a side where individuals have the opportunity to shine, but Arsenal is a different kettle of fish. 

One moment in the second period in particular at Sunderland epitomised exactly why Tzolis is trusted on the left flank. He was dispossessed in his own half but hurried back to intercept Brian Brobbey, subsequently celebrating the vital tackle as if he had scored at the other end. 

This is a player who has already bought into Arteta’s non-negotiables. Parallels can be drawn to Kai Havertz’s role in the team, a player who may not be the most dynamic in front of goal but is integral to the team’s smooth running.  

It has to be taken into consideration though that he will take time to bed back into English football despite an incredibly productive spell in Belgium, yet Eze’s start to the season may result in the former Norwich City man earning a starring role.  

The bigger picture 

While Eze has yet to sparkle this season, he certainly has the ability to flourish if he buys into Arteta’s standards. 

Tzolis looks an astute buy for just £34 million, but cannot be relied upon for a gruelling campaign in four competitions, so Eze needs to step up with Ødegaard’s fine start to the season seeing no way in his conventional attacking midfield position. 

There seems to be an added swagger, almost a positive arrogance, about Arsenal’s play after finally getting over the line last term, but a consistent source of goals and assists could be the missing piece of the puzzle on the left.

Could a move for an attacking reinforcement in January be on the cards? Eli Junior Kroupi was heavily touted with a move prior to his foot injury before the season kicked off, so the French wonderkid is certainly a viable option with his ruthless finishing inside the box.

To point out this perceived problem just proves how strong Arsenal are, with very few flaws seen across the pitch.

From a defence which boasts the sternest league rearguard in the past three seasons to a midfield which doesn’t seem to drop in quality with replacements, it’s unsurprising this Arsenal side is expected to reach the summit once again given the instability surrounding their nearest challenges.

Nevertheless, if they are to propel themselves to new heights, which was the focus of Arteta after their Champions League final defeat, the left-sided attack may ultimately prove to be the difference-maker.