Even without a classic “proven striker” on the pitch consistently, Arsenal‘s goals keep flowing.
Despite missing Gabriel Jesus for stretches due to injury, the Gunners’ form hasn’t suffered with their blistering 2024 start. How are they making this work?
It’s a testament to Mikel Arteta‘s focus on a shared sense of scoring responsibility.
Arteta’s words as blueprint
Arteta directly addressed this lack of a big-name forward in January: “We have to share goals, and we are responsible for everything,” he said. His faith in the squad wasn’t empty praise.
The stats prove his players bought into this shared mission.
Goals from unexpected places
While regulars like Bukayo Saka excel, an unlikely contributor is defender Gabriel. His prowess on set-pieces makes him a genuine scoring threat. This trend doesn’t stop with him – Arsenal‘s goals come from across midfield and the front line. No singular star carries the burden; every player can finish when opportunities arise.
Statistics showcase the success
This is no lucky streak. Arsenal‘s 2024 goal spree is setting records, outpacing other prolific Premier League eras. They also lead top European leagues in goals scored this calendar year. Individual improvements – like Saka’s recent run of scoring in four consecutive games for the first time (six goals) – combine with an overall commitment to attacking football.
This is the end result:
| Most league goals in 2024 (goals/games) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Arsenal | 21 | 5 |
| Liverpool | 20 | 6 |
| Barcelona | 18 | 7 |
| Inter Milan | 17 | 6 |
| Atalanta | 16 | 6 |
| Newcastle | 16 | 6 |
Set pieces as secret weapon
Arsenal‘s dominance extends to dead-ball situations, as we all know – leading the league in set-piece goals (including penalties) with 25. This underscores strategic preparation alongside individual finishing and highlights a multifaceted ability to find the net.
Can this continue?
The real test is not just now, but over the season’s final games. As Kai Havertz told the media after Arsenal‘s 5-0 win at Burnley, “But still, it’s not the end now, we need to keep being focussed. We just work hard and try to enjoy ourselves on the pitch and that’s what we did today as well.”