• Arsenal's recent form has raised concerns among fans, especially after poor cup performances.
• The Gunners secured a crucial 2-1 victory over Tottenham in the north London derby.
• Mikel Arteta's team struggles with scoring and creativity, prompting calls for a new striker.
• Young talent Myles Lewis-Skelly impressed in the derby, highlighting Arsenal's potential.
• Despite the win, questions remain about Arteta's tactics and the team's future in the title race.

The frustration surrounding Arsenal FC has been palpable in recent weeks, particularly following back-to-back defeats in cup competitions. After a devastating exit from the EFL Cup against Newcastle and a FA Cup loss to a ten-man Manchester United, a sense of despair engulfed the fanbase. However, a critical 2-1 victory over north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur has provided a much-needed boost, albeit amidst lingering doubts regarding the squad’s potential. The stakes were always heightened for manager Mikel Arteta as he grappled with a season that once held promise but had quickly descended into uncertainty.

In a match marked by tension, Arsenal demonstrated resilience as they overturned an early lead by Tottenham, courtesy of a goal from Son Heung-min. The Gunners displayed a dominating presence in possession, yet the stark reality of their performance continued to surface in their inability to convert chances. Arsenal registered 14 shots but only managed to hit the target four times, with Dominic Solanke inadvertently scoring an own goal to level the game before Leandro Trossard found the net for the winner shortly after. Such statistics reflect Arsenal's ongoing struggle to finish games decisively, which has sparked considerable discontent among supporters.

While they climb to within four points of league leaders Liverpool, the euphoria from the derby win masks deeper issues. The pressing need for a reliable goalscorer has been exacerbated by injuries to key players, including Gabriel Jesus and young star Bukayo Saka, who recently underwent hamstring surgery. Arsenal’s tactical choices and failure to secure a natural striker have become focal points of discussions among fans, many of whom express a mix of hope and frustration.

TV presenter and ardent Arsenal supporter Robert Peston lamented an absence of strategy to elevate the squad from being honourable runners-up to genuine trophy contenders. Former player Theo Walcott echoed these sentiments, asserting the Gunners had “lost the hunger of opening up teams.” Meanwhile, Micah Richards posited that "the difference between Arsenal winning the league or these ties is just a centre-forward.” This sentiment drives the urgency for Arteta and his management team to act swiftly in the January transfer window.

Yet the recent victory did provide a glimmer of hope. Youngster Myles Lewis-Skelly emerged as a bright spot, delivering an impressive performance that exemplified the potential within the squad, prompting Arteta to commend the 18-year-old as a “real personality” on the pitch. This showcases that while frustrations abound, there is also promising talent that could be harnessed as the season progresses.

The Gunners now look towards their upcoming fixtures with renewed determination, but questions over Arteta's tactical direction and squad depth remain unresolved. With the team needing to build on this derby victory to continue their title challenge, fans hope that Arsenal's newfound momentum translates into consistent performances that reaffirm their place in the Premier League hierarchy. As they prepare for further challenges, Arteta's ability to adapt and evolve his strategies will undoubtedly be tested.

For more detailed coverage, you can read the original articles on BBC and BBC.