For all their recent goalscoring form, there is one question that still remains over the Arsenal attack. Can they break down a low block in open play?
Against Liverpool and Burnley they showed what they can do when teams give them space. Their group stage exploits in the Champions League show yet more examples of the 100mph football that Mikel Arteta wants his side to play.
Up against tightly packed defences though, they have continued to remain stunted. Set pieces have been their main salvation. Against both Crystal Palace and West Ham — sides who set up to frustrate — Arsenal were able to get an edge with early corners and free kicks. With both teams forced to chase the game the spaces the Gunners crave opened up and they took full advantage. They should be given credit for this, but it has not silenced the doubt that hung over them during their run of one win in seven prior to the winter break.
In a poor quality game at Estadio do Dragao, with the rest of the attack misfiring, there was no set piece salvation. Gabriel Magalhaes, Kai Havertz and William Saliba all had chances from dead ball situations, and if they had been more ruthless perhaps Arsenal would be looking excitedly forward to the quarter finals of the Champions League.
The reality remains though that in open play against Porto they looked totally toothless. There were mitigating circumstances. Overzealous officiating and the awarding of 36 fouls across the course of the night didn't help. Nor did the fact that the ball was in play for only 51% of the match. But the reality remains that Arsenal failed to record a shot on target in a match for the first time in two years.
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