Jamie Redknapp believes Arsenal are ‘toothless’ without one key player

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Arsenal’s troubles in front of goal continued with a 2-0 Carabao Cup semi-final defeat at home to Newcastle United.

It was the first time Arsenal had lost at the Emirates Stadium this season and the manner of the defeat has left the Gunners with an almost impossible task to overcome in the return leg.

Arsenal target Alexander Isak was among the goals with Gabriel Martinelli and Kai Havertz missing huge opportunities to get Arsenal on the scoresheet themselves.

It has led to Arsenal tracking reinforcements in forward areas however their pursuit of Nico Williams has hit a stumbling block and many fans are now fearing another trophyless season under Mikel Arteta.

READ MORE: Bukayo Saka replacement in transfer plans but one aspect will infuriate Arsenal fans

Jamie Redknapp believes Arsenal attack is ‘toothless’ without Bukayo Saka

Speaking on Sky Sports post-match coverage of Arsenal v Newcastle, pundit Jamie Redknapp has echoed supporters’ fears that Arsenal are becoming blunt in front of goal because of Bukayo Saka’s injury.

Redknapp stated: “No shots on target in the second half. What it showed you today is that without Bukayo Saka they are toothless.”

Redknapp went on to allude to some of the reasons why Arsenal are missing Saka so much in the side. He explained: “There’s no pace in the team and they have missed him so badly tonight. They didn’t have enough guile or quality.”

It has been hoped that youngster Ethan Nwaneri could step into Saka’s boots but Nwaneri is now injured himself for a couple of weeks with a muscular problem.

Martinelli and Trossard cannot provide sufficient backup to Saka

With the absence of Saka and Nwaneri, Arteta has turned to Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard to provide a creative spark from the right wing.

However, both players have scored just ten goals between them this season and fans and pundits are becoming increasingly frustrated, Theo Walcott claims he’s ‘sick’ of Martinelli not taking on defenders.

Unsurprisingly, it is not just goals where Saka excels compared to his colleagues, the England international leads the way across a number of key attacking metrics for Arsenal this season.

Whilst Arsenal are still very much in the fight for four trophies this season, the problem of filling the right-hand side of the attack is one that Arteta needs to get right and quick.