Arsenal are on course to have their worst season for 24 years in one metric – Mikel Arteta needs to fix it

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Mikel Arteta has built a robust Arsenal team that thrives in almost all aspects of the game, but they’re struggling in one specific area this season.

The Gunners have endured numerous injury issues this campaign, yet remain just six points behind Liverpool in the Premier League and have secured a third-place finish in the Champions League table.

Talisman Bukayo Saka is out until at least March and has missed the last month with a serious hamstring injury, yet Arsenal have remained competitive in multiple competitions.

Despite the adversity Arteta’s team has faced, they have still been resolute and capable of playing in almost any way tactically.

Arsenal strolled past Girona in midweek, although the game did highlight an issue that has developed into a theme this term.

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Arsenal’s penalty record is bad this season

Typically efficient and clinical in all facets and phases, Arsenal have been wasteful from the spot this year.

The Gunners have been awarded seven penalties across all competitions, converting just four of them.

Leandro Trossard, Martin Odegaard and Raheem Sterling have all been guilty of spurning guilt-edged opportunities from 12 yards, with tame efforts to the goalkeeper’s left.

While only one of these efforts has cost Arsenal – Odegaard’s against Manchester United – the other two have increased the pressure on the North Londoners in tight games.

Arteta’s side have struggled to create the volume of chances you’d expect from them without Saka, so not capitalising on penalty opportunities in tight games will eventually be detrimental to their season.

At the moment, Arsenal’s 57% conversion rate from the spot would be their worst in this metric since the 2000/01 season, when they were awarded just two penalties all campaign, scoring one and missing one.

Arsenal beat Porto on penalties in the Champions League last season, converting all four of their spot-kicks.

Since then, they haven’t been able to replicate this success.

On the other side of the coin, David Raya has saved just one of the last nine penalties he’s faced, including the shootout against United.

The Spaniard is consistently sent the wrong way or is diving too late, not maximising his already slim chances of stopping the ball hit the back of the net.

While penalties are a lottery to an extent, they’re also an area where marginal gains can make all the difference, and Arsenal aren’t excelling in this aspect this season.

Arsenal need to settle on one penalty taker

Part of the issue could be that Arsenal are constantly chopping and changing their penalty taker.

Generally, Saka is the default taker, but even when the winger was fit, Odegaard stepped up to take a spot-kick against West Ham in November.

Five different players have taken penalties this season, meaning not one man has been able to practice and master their technique under pressure.

Arteta needs to instil a clear penalty hierarchy, with one player in charge when Saka is out.

Otherwise, this could be another avenue for dropped points and cup exits.