ARSENAL jet off to Dubai on Tuesday hoping the change of climate brings good fortune.
The Gunners have won just one of their last seven games in all competitions, including losing their last three on the spin.
Their dramatic drop in form has seen them fall from Christmas Day Premier League top spot to fourth in the New Year with their surge for the title fading by the week.
Mikel Arteta has a chance to press the reset button with Arsenal’s next game not until January 20 – welcoming Crystal Palace to the Emirates in the Prem.
In the meantime, the squad will spend a week in the Middle East soaking up the sun and getting some crucial sessions under their belt in what has been described as a “hard working training camp” before returning on January 16.
Here, SunSport reveals what boss Arteta needs to sort to get Arsenal’s season back on track:
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WRAP BUKAYO SAKA IN COTTON WOOL
To his high standards, Saka has been below par in recent weeks, scoring once in his last seven games in all competitions – coinciding with Arsenal’s drop in form.
However, there are reasons for this. The England international has been nursing an Achilles injury for some time now and is currently playing through the pain.
He is the third-most fouled player in the Prem – behind Newcastle’s Bruno Guimaraes and Palace’s Jordan Ayew – and that stat is starting to take its toll.
These 12 days without a game could not have come at a better time, giving Saka’s body some well-deserved rest ahead of a busy upcoming period.
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GET GABRIEL JESUS BACK FIT
Arsenal are in need of goals and cannot afford to lose Jesus for a prolonged period yet again this campaign – having already missed nine games so far this season due to injury.
The Brazilian missed the start of the season with a minor knee operation before picking up a hamstring strain in November seeing him sidelined for several weeks.
He missed the FA Cup defeat to Liverpool with concerns over the same knee after feeling something in training – with scans suggesting there is a slight issue.
Arteta said: “Hopefully it is not too big” and he will be eager to get the issue sorted before returning to action later this month.
Should Jesus be out, pressure to find goals falls to Kai Havertz and Eddie Nketiah once more.
SORT OUT LEFT-BACK SITUATION
Despite their woes in attack, Arteta will also have concerns at the back, in particular at left-back if the last two games are anything to go by.
Jakub Kiwior deputised in the role against Fulham on December 31 only to be hooked at half-time for Takehiro Tomiyasu – who is now at the Asian Cup with Japan.
With Oleksandr Zinchenko still recovering from a slight calf strain, Kiwior played there again against Liverpool with a similar outcome, scoring an own goal to give the visitors the lead.
It is clear the Polish defender is uncomfortable in that position, and looks awkward attempting to play the inverted role that Arteta favours.
Yet even with Zinchenko fit, Arsenal have looked shaky at the back.
However, Arteta will not rush into a January panic-buy, with Tomiyasu returning in the next couple of weeks, while long-term absentee Jurrien Timber is making progress in his comeback from knee surgery back in August, targeting mid-February.
CONSIDER GOALKEEPER OPTIONS
Arteta made a huge call in dropping Aaron Ramsdale for David Raya back in September – and it initially paid off with six clean sheets in 11 appearances in all competitions.
However, there has been the odd iffy display from the Spaniard, including the 4-3 win against Luton last month, at fault for two goals.
Ramsdale – unhappy with the situation – has remained patient and got his chance against Liverpool, generally impressing with ball at feet and a few top saves.
Bringing the England keeper back into the starting XI would certainly bring the feelgood factor back – Ramsdale is a real fan favourite around the Emirates.
It would also be a big risk, and spark more debate over the uncertainty in that position – but Ramsdale has given his boss something to think about this month.
REBUILD CONFIDENCE
This recent run has taken a huge dent out of Arsenal’s title hopes, but also their spirit, which has been a massive factor in their rise on and off the pitch in recent years.
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What Arteta needs is to put smiles back on faces, and what better way than to get some sun and give opportunities for some bonding time away from the limelight.
As well as taking part in a hard-working training camp, the players will also be taking part in some commercial activities and will get some down time in the evenings.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
