Theo Walcott thinks Chelsea have one player who Mikel Arteta really needs at Arsenal ‘right now’

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Arsenal’s dreary spell of form continued against Chelsea as the Gunners recorded a 1-1 draw.

A dramatic 90 minutes at Stamford Bridge saw Mikel Arteta’s side nearly take home three points at the death. 

One point was the final reward, as goals from Gabriel Martinelli and Pedro Neto decided the scoreline.

The result leaves both Arsenal and their rivals nine points below league leaders Liverpool heading into the international break. 

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Theo Walcott sends Arsenal Pedro Neto transfer message

It’s not all doom and gloom for Arsenal but it certainly feels that way right now heading into the festive period.

A win percentage of 45% from the opening 11 Premier League games is not what Arteta would have envisaged, with there appearing to be a lot missing from the squad at present.

Upon reviewing the Gunners’ draw against Chelsea, club icon Theo Walcott highlighted one thing Arsenal don’t have when comparing Arteta’s squad to Enzo Maresca’s. 

“When you talk about Neto, he’s the sort of player that Arsenal could have [signed] for competition for other players,” Walcott explained on BBC Match of the Day 2. 

“I think that’s what they need right now, a bit of competition.”

Neto was a long-term target for Arsenal however, it was Chelsea who captured the winger from Wolves in the summer. 

£54m handed Maresca a winger with Premier League experience and the ability to cause chaos in the wide areas, something that Arteta is massively lacking.

Another transfer lesson for Mikel Arteta

In the summer, it was clear that Arsenal’s depth in wide areas was sparse, with Walcott highlighting that 11 games into the new season.

Arsenal knew what was needed in the window, resulting in Edu Gaspar scrambling in the final moments to welcome out of form Raheem Sterling to the Emirates. 

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Whether it was budget, lack of scouting or naivety heading into the 2024/25 calendar, the Gunners failed to welcome a top quality wide player to compete with those already at the club, resulting in what was seen at the Bridge.

Chelsea had what Arsenal needed in Neto, with Arteta’s options in the position running dangerously thin and not helped by questionable form.