Arsenal were second best in all areas of the pitch against Manchester City on Wednesday. They only managed to provide glimpses of quality after falling 3-0 down after being outclassed by their Premier League title rivals.
The defeat now means Arsenal have now gone four games without victory, putting their chances of winning their first league title in nearly 20 years at serious jeopardy with five games remaining.
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On Wednesday, their opponents benefitted from having a complete forward in Erling Haaland. The Norwegian is in a league of his own this season and his goal in the fifth minute of injury time was his 49th of the season in all competitions, a superb record. But at the other end, Gabriel Jesus could not mirror Haaland's performance.
The Brazilian struggled against his former team and was replaced in the 80th minute by Eddie Nketiah. The Hale Ender had little time to influence the proceedings, with the Arsenal attack spending most of the game watching their opponents dominate the game.
Jesus lost eight of his 14 duels with the Man City defenders, conceded possession nine times and took no shots at Ederson. He was often bullied off the ball by Manuel Akanji and Ruben Dias in a disappointing return to Manchester.
Whatever happens between now and the end of the season, the Gunners' priority is unlikely to change. A new midfielder is at the top of sporting director Edu Gaspar's shopping list but there remains the lack of a natural number nine.
Mikel Arteta’s side remain without a prolific goalscorer. It's argued that the Spaniard’s system doesn't necessarily welcome a target man with Jesus' style of play supplementary to the success they’ve had this season. However, as seen against City and in a number of games this season, possession of a player of the quality of Haaland is a serious advantage at this level.
But that could change in the summer. According to 90min, Arsenal remain fully interested in Atalanta striker Rasmus Hojlund. The Denmark international is understood to be on a number of wishlists ahead of the summer transfer window, with Manchester United's interest well-documented.
Hojlund has enjoyed a successful debut campaign in Italy following his €17million (£15million) move from Sturm Graz - scoring 14 goals in 37 appearances. The youngster has carried his club form onto the international stage with a hat-trick on his debut for Denmark against Finland and another two against Kazakhstan.
The striker has received comparisons to Haaland with his tall frame and powerful presence in the penalty area. That's why it's easy to see why Chelsea, Manchester United, Newcastle and Napoli are all queuing up for his services at the end of the season.
"I haven't seen so many strikers as good as Hojlund at 20," Atalanta boss Gian Piero Gasperini said. "He can improve a lot, he’s great. Top European clubs are always attentive to this kind of top talent. There could be some huge bid for him that would be impossible to reject for us."
Comparisons to a striker of the ability of Haaland takes some doing. Not many can say they've watched Hojlund in action this season due to Atalanta's lack of participation in Europe. However, his performances in Italy this campaign have placed him in good stead to make the next step.
Man United and Napoli - should they lose Victor Osimhen - will be desperate for a new striker in the summer. Arsenal are not. But the prospect of acquiring one of the most exciting prospects in European football is an enticing option.
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