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Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has a number of pressing issues to contend with following the World Cup in Qatar.
Getting off to a good start will be crucial if the Londoners are to stay one step up ahead of reigning champions Manchester City, who will have to overhaul a five point deficit if they are to once again retain their domestic crown.
However, maintaining that form after the World Cup is likely to be a much harder task given that the tournament in Qatar has thrown up a number of issues for Arsenal.
Mirror Football discusses four problems that Arteta has to contend with.
Replace Gabriel Jesus
The most obvious issue Arteta faces right now is over whether or not to replace Gabriel Jesus in the January transfer window.
Jesus, 25, has made a significant impact at the Emirates since joining the Gunners from Manchester City in a £45million deal back in the summer.
And although the goals had dried up for Jesus prior to the World Cup, he was still firmly established as Arsenal’s main man up front – but he could now be sidelined for up to three months after undergoing knee surgery.
Eddie Nketiah is waiting in the wings, but the Gunners academy graduate is not of the same calibre as Jesus and has struggled for consistency when handed sustained runs in the first team.
With that in mind, do Arsenal alter their January transfer plans?
Arteta was believed to be in the market for another wide attacker, but after splurging over £100m for the second consecutive summer, it remains to be seen if the Londoners have sufficient funds to be able to afford to fulfill the Spaniard’s initial January transfer plans and sign a replacement for Jesus – which could mean that a big decision will have to be made.
Key players short on sharpness
The likes of Aaron Ramsdale, Ben White, William Saliba and Gabriel Martinelli have all been key players for the Gunners this season, but they have hardly tasted competitive action over the past few weeks, all largely being left kicking their heels in Qatar.
The likes of Ramsdale and White were not expected to feature prominently for England at the tournament and didn’t feature at all, while Saliba and Martinelli were far from first-choice for France and Brazil respectively.
As such, as that quartet of key players are going to be short on match sharpness when Arsenal kick off against West Ham in less than two weeks’ time – and that could be a major problem.
A World Cup hangover
The toll of the World Cup is likely to affect players mentally as well as physically.
As well as trying to kickstart their previous momentum, Arteta will have to lift the likes of Granit Xhaka and Bukayo Saka, who succumbed to emotional exits from the tournament during the knockout stage.
Xhaka and Switzerland were on the end of a 6-1 pummelling from Portugal in the Round of 16 while Saka and England were dumped out at the quarter-final stage by France after a late goal from ex-Gunner Olivier Giroud.
Both Xhaka and Saka are prominent figures for club and country. And both are likely to still be grappling with the emotional the fallout of the competition if they are thrust straight back into action on Boxing Day.
Bukayo Saka‘s contract negotiations
Arsenal spent the build-up to the World Cup attempting to thrash out a new, long-term agreement with Saka. But after failing to do so, they could have a major headache on their hands after the 21-year-old emerged as one of the breakout stars of the tournament.
After muscling his way into Gareth Southgate’s starting XI, Saka plundered three goals in five games, the joint-highest of any England player.
Saka was also one of the best players on the pitch against France and it wouldn’t be a total surprise if the fleet-footed forward caught the eye of some new admirers with his performances over the past month, while also enhancing the desire of other elite suitors.
Although Saka has hinted he is happy to commit his future to Arsenal, his stock is now at an all-time high.
Fresh interest could test Saka’s stance, while England’s man of the moment would also be within his rights to significantly increase his demands – which could leave Arsenal sweating. The clock is ticking.
This article was updated 1 week ago
