Mikel Arteta is still in the rebuilding process at the Gunners. After a very shaky start, they are now unbeaten in four games in the league and now sit in 11th place only six points off the leaders.

The Spaniard spent around £150 million in the summer transfer window a few months ago. That money brought him a centre half and midfielder in Ben White and Martin Odegaard but he failed to secure another striker.

The club has relied heavily on their aging forwards who have shown patchy form in recent months. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is back in the goalscoring charts but his partner Alexandre Lacazette is struggling to get on the starting team.

The 30-year-old Frenchman has only appeared in two league games this season and with only one year left on his contract, it is very unlikely that it will be renewed. Last year, he scored 13 goals in 31 games so it would still be possible to sell him in January. Otherwise, the player will most likely leave for free in June.

Expecting a goal from @LacazetteAlex @arsenal #ARSTOT#NorthLondonDerby pic.twitter.com/E76cfT9yKL

— Thee Trendeneur❁︎ (@ItsTheeRay) September 26, 2021

How will they replace Lacazette?

Instead, the Gunners have already started looking at younger English alternatives to replace him.

The two men that the club wants to pick between would be Everton’s Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins. Both players are 25 or younger and scored more than Lacazette did last season.

Arsenal’s main problem is that they cannot promise European football to these players that want to further their careers. Going by last season’s results, Arsenal would be a step up for the young players but they have both shown enough quality to get called up for England’s national team along with Champions League winners.

Although this so far is still only an unlikely rumor, the more probable signing for Arsenal would be Watkins.

Calvert-Lewin is the star striker at Everton and has grown up in their ranks. Watkins, on the other hand, is now in competition with the new signing Danny Ings and has only been at the club for two years.

The English striker would be a very promising signing for Arsenal. He will be able to partner or compete with Aubameyang for a striker position.

Would you prefer Calvert-Lewin or Watkins to replace Lacazette? #AFC pic.twitter.com/6LpfctJVPX

— AFTV (@AFTVMedia) October 5, 2021

For now, Arsenal will focus on their next game in the league. They play Crystal Palace at home at 20:00 on Monday 18th October.

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The club has already parted ways with Junior Firpo, Carles Alena, and unintentionally Lionel Messi. Now the club wants to be rid of two of their expensive mistakes, Phillipe Coutinho and Martin Braithwaite.

The Brazilian Coutinho was an inspired signing after great seasons for Liverpool as their creative master. Now after an over £105 million transfer sum, it seems like more money down the drain.

Braithwaite was a panic buy two years ago after the injury of former striker Luis Suarez. Two seasons and nine goals later and it was clear this was a mistake.

Reports have circulated that the Barca higher-ups have already made out a shortlist of possible swap deals. Arsenals two veteran goalscorers, Aubameyang and Lacazette have been named as possible replacements.

After both players missed Arsenal’s humiliating opening game with illness and the reports have only grown stronger.

Not sure about this one, but would you take Coutinho at Arsenal? #AFC #AFTV pic.twitter.com/Hqm2zvlbXs

— AFTV (@AFTVMedia) August 15, 2021

Is this a good deal for Arsenal or Barcelona?

For Arsenal, this could be great. After a terrible season in front of goal for the club, they should be happy to part ways with Aubameyang, especially if that means that Coutinho could come to the club.

The Gabonese striker is three years older than Coutinho who recently won a Champions League while on loan at Bayern Munich.

Braithwaite on the other hand, would not be as promising of a swap deal. Both Lacazette and the Dane are the same age but Braithwaite has never shown any quality that warranted the move to Barcelona.

The Gunners will be looking to get the French forward off their services, with 13 goals in 31 games last year, but only to make way for younger talent.

Arsenal has also got strong links with a move for Inter Milan’s Lautaro Martinez. The Argentine was an important part of their Serie A success last year and after the departure of Romelu Lukaku, do not expect Martinez to go for cheap.

These are worrying times for Arsenal fans and the sooner they can sign new players, the better.

Lautaro Martinez is for SALE

Inter agreed on a fee for Martinez with #THFC
They now want more money – 70-80m
Martinez wants to join an #EPL team

Will Tottenham or Arsenal land Lautaro this summer or will he stay? #afc

– https://t.co/CNJoObLzVd pic.twitter.com/n8hz6JYDVg

— Terry Flewers (@terryflewers) August 8, 2021

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Mikel Arteta has come under scrutiny this season for his side’s domestic form which has seen Arsenal drop to 15^th in the Premier League table. Losses against Burnley, Everton and Wolves in recent weeks have contributed to their position in the table.

His side took on Manchester City tonight in a crucial Carabao Cup quarter-final. The occasion was all the more significant given recent suggestion that Mikel Arteta’s job could be on the line.

Arteta opted to rest several key players, perhaps with the hectic Christmas schedule in mind. Pep Guardiola, on the other hand, played a near full strength XI – making Arteta’s job all the more difficult. Pep’s decision paid dividend as his side ran out comfortable 4-1 winners, thus increasing the pressure on Mikel Arteta’s shoulders.

FIRST HALF

City didn’t take long to strike, either. Gabriel Jesus opened the scoring just 2 minutes into the game. In truth, the goal could have easily been prevented. Poor anticipation from the Arsenal defenders and goalkeeper Alex Rúnarsson gifted Jesus a tap in from a Oleksandr Zinchenko cross.

The return of Gabriel Martinelli has provided much needed hope for Arsenal fans. The young Brazilian has been out injured since June, missing a host of games in the process. He marked his first start since injury with an assist in the 32^nd minute for Alexandre Lacazette. Martinelli looped a great cross into the box which was then finished off by the head of the Frenchman for the equalizing goal.

Gabriel Jesus had a great chance to put City back into the lead in the 40^th minute but he was kept out brilliantly by the Arsenal keeper. The Brazilian was played in after a neat one-two with Phil Foden but Rúnarsson came out on top in the one on one.

The first half ended 1-1 despite Manchester City dominating in terms of possession. Arsenal would have been happy with their first half display despite not creating many chances.

SECOND HALF

Manchester City retook the lead in the 54^th movie, owing again to a mistake from the Arsenal keeper. Mahrez lined up a free kick at the edge of area and his shot went straight at Rúnarsson but to his misfortune the ball slipped through his hands and into the net.

Phil Foden increased City’s advantage just minutes later with a delicate chip over the keeper. Fernandinho did well in the build-up before playing through Foden who put the finishing touches on the move. The England international has now scored 2 goals from as many games in the Carabao Cup having scored against Bournemouth earlier in the campaign.

Foden was involved again as City got their 4^th in the 72^nd minute. He floated an accurate ball into the box which was met by the head of Aymeric Laporte who couldn’t miss from close range.

The scoring stopped there as Manchester City advanced to the semi-finals. Their opponents are yet to be revealed with further games to be played.

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