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    Arsenal Fans Demand New Striker Signing in Summer After UCL QF Loss vs. Bayern Munich

    Joseph Zucker@@JosephZuckerX.com LogoFeatured Columnist IVApril 17, 2024

    MUNICH, GERMANY - APRIL 17: Kai Havertz of Arsenal FC and Declan Rice of Arsenal FC look dejected during the UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg match between FC Bayern München and Arsenal FC at Allianz Arena on April 17, 2024 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Silas Schueller/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)
    Silas Schueller/DeFodi Images via Getty Images

    Arsenal remains within striking distance of Manchester City in the Premier League title race, but a 1-0 defeat to Bayern Munich potentially exposed how much work is still ahead for manager Mikel Arteta to make the club a serious threat in the Champions League again.

    The two sides played to a 2-2 draw in the first leg of their quarterfinal tie. On Wednesday, Joshua Kimmich's header in the 63rd minute was enough to propel Bayern to the semis.

    CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ @CBSSportsGolazo

    KIMMICH WITH A BULLET HEADER TO GIVE BAYERN THE LEAD 🎯💥 <a href="https://t.co/UEnhqMEH8D">pic.twitter.com/UEnhqMEH8D</a>

    Arsenal's Kai Havertz has had his moments this season. His nine goals and five assists in the Premier League are already his most in a single season since coming to England in 2020-21. The club, meanwhile, has the second-highest goal tally in the PL.

    However, the Gunners were badly missing the cutting edge with Havertz leading the line, which has occasionally been the case when the German lines up as the central striker. Gabriel Jesus' introduction in the 68th minute did little to change things.

    Not surprisingly, supporters used Wednesday's defeat to renew calls for reinforcements in the summer:

    YankeeGunner @YankeeGunner

    We've scored a ton of goals this season but I can't shake the feeling we aren't as threatening as we need to be overall. Was an issue to start the season and it's resurfacing this week

    Arsenal Fans Demand New Striker Signing in Summer After UCL QF Loss vs. Bayern Munich
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    Layth @laythy29

    Arsenal need a prolific, goal-laden striker. I think we can all stop kidding ourselves otherwise now, no matter how virtuous it feels to try and buck perceived wisdom…

    John. @ByJohnSmith

    Not having a single top goalscorer is so frustrating

    Walid Arsenal ⚽️ @1Walid1

    I'm convinced Gabriel Jesus doesn't actually know where the goal is. He gets to the final 3rd and guesses.

    Charles Watts @charles_watts

    Just under 15 minutes left of the 90. Arsenal haven't looked like scoring at all in this half, that has to change quickly if they are make life difficult for Bayern.

    baby gronk rizzed up richard dunne @bootcutgenes

    Attack just isn't good enough that's the long and the short of it. Can't keep basically relying on 2 guys and hoping the others can show up on a given day

    Kam #8🏁 @Culturecams

    Arteta has to coach a PERFECT game for Arsenal to win and even when he does, it can still not be enough. Theres a lack of Superstar Xfactor in the team.

    Especially if Arsenal fail to overtake Manchester City in the Premier League, Wednesday's match will sting even more in retrospect. Bayern Munich is as vulnerable as it's been in years, yet Arsenal could hardly muster anything in the final third with the tie hanging in the balance.

    Billie @Billie_T

    Just remember in the biggest game of Arteta's arsenal career Eric Dier was man of the match

    Paddy Power @paddypower

    Arsenal bringing on Eddie Nketiah to try and win a Champions League quarter-final <a href="https://t.co/TbxgDy9ACA">pic.twitter.com/TbxgDy9ACA</a>

    Paddy @PaddyArsenal

    Third season in a row we crumble in April. People will call it bottling but it's a result of the same 13/14 players playing all the time and the rest of the squad not being good enough or available enough.

    Heading into last summer, Arteta and his staff had a clear target in mind when it came to the transfer market. They knew Declan Rice was exactly the kind of player they needed in the midfield, and he has been worth every penny so far.

    Looking ahead to the next window, there isn't the same kind of obvious answer to what remains a glaring issue. It's easy enough to say Arsenal could use a traditional centre-forward, but identifying one who seamlessly fits into Arteta's system is much more difficult.

    Arteta and sporting director Edu Gaspar will have their work cut out for them.