February Recap Arsenals Month in Review – Progress, Challenges, and What’s Next

In our February Recap Arsenals Month in Review, we reflect on a month of mixed fortunes for the Gunners. Arsenal delivered some dominant performances but also faced key setbacks that tested their squad depth and title ambitions. With crucial fixtures shaping their Premier League and European campaigns, injuries and tactical adjustments have played a major role in defining their progress. Let’s break down the highlights, challenges, and what lies ahead for Arteta’s men. 🔥⚽

Matches and Results: February 2025

1. Arsenal 5-1 Manchester City (Premier League) – February 2, 2025

Arsenal produced a stunning performance at the Emirates, dismantling reigning champions Manchester City. Martin Ødegaard opened the scoring early before City responded through Erling Haaland. However, a relentless second-half display saw Thomas Partey, Kai Havertz, Myles Lewis-Skelly, and a wonder goal from Ethan Nwaneri secure an emphatic victory.

🔥 Key Players:

• Ethan Nwaneri – ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (9/10) | Scored a sensational long-range goal and assisted the fourth, showing maturity beyond his years.
• Martin Ødegaard – ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (8/10) | Set the tone with a composed finish and dictated play from midfield.
• Kai Havertz – ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (8/10) | Was a driving force in attack, capped his performance with a goal.

2. Newcastle United 2-0 Arsenal (EFL Cup Semi-Final Second Leg) – February 5, 2025

Arsenal’s hopes of securing silverware took a massive hit as they crashed out of the EFL Cup at St. James’ Park. Newcastle dominated proceedings, with Jacob Murphy opening the scoring before Anthony Gordon sealed the win. Arsenal lacked cutting edge in attack, and their night worsened with an injury to Gabriel Martinelli.

🔥 Key Players:

• William Saliba – ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/10) | Struggled against Newcastle’s high press and couldn’t prevent their attacks.
• Gabriel Martinelli – ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/10) | Withdrawn early due to injury, barely made an impact.

3. Leicester City 0-2 Arsenal (Premier League) – February 15, 2025

In a crucial away win, Arsenal overcame a resilient Leicester City side. The breakthrough came late in the match when Mikel Arteta introduced Mikel Merino in an advanced role. The midfielder scored twice in quick succession, first with a powerful header and then finishing off a counterattack.

🔥 Key Players:

• Mikel Merino – ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (8/10) | A surprise attacking role paid off, scoring both goals.
• Ethan Nwaneri – ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (8/10) | Assisted Merino’s first goal and showed great composure.
• Declan Rice – ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (7/10) | Controlled the midfield and kept Leicester’s attack quiet.

4. Arsenal 0-1 West Ham United (Premier League) – February 22, 2025

Arsenal’s unbeaten home run came to an end with a frustrating loss to West Ham. Jarrod Bowen’s first-half goal proved to be the difference, as the Gunners struggled to break down a well-organized Hammers defence. Myles Lewis-Skelly’s red card in the second half left Arsenal with ten men, making a comeback even more difficult.

🔥 Key Players:

• Leandro Trossard – ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (6/10) | Created a few chances but lacked end product in the final third.

5. Nottingham Forest 0-0 Arsenal (Premier League) – February 26, 2025

Arsenal ended the month with a frustrating goalless draw at the City Ground. Despite dominating possession, they failed to convert their chances, with Forest’s defence holding firm. The result saw Arsenal fall 13 points behind league leaders Liverpool, dealing a significant blow to their title aspirations.

🔥 Key Players:

• Declan Rice – ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (6/10) | Controlled the midfield but lacked support in attack.
• William Saliba – ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (8/10) | Rock-solid at the back, kept Forest’s attackers quiet all game.
• Gabriel Magalhães – ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (7/10) | Defended well and was a threat on set-pieces, but Arsenal needed more in attack.

Player Performances: Who Stood Out?

February was a mixed month for Arsenal, with inconsistent performances across the squad. While some players stepped up in crucial moments, others struggled to make an impact, particularly in the attacking third. With injuries mounting, depth was tested, and young talents were given opportunities to shine.

⭐ Player of the Month: Jurrien Timber

After a month filled with ups and downs for the squad, Jurrien Timber was one of the few players Arsenal could always rely on. While he may not have delivered the most eye-catching performances, his consistency in defence and ability to remain composed in difficult situations made him a vital presence in Arteta’s setup. Whether playing at right-back or filling in centrally when needed, Timber was a rock at the back, providing stability while others faltered.

🔻 Underperformers: Raheem Sterling & Leandro Trossard

With Arsenal’s attacking depth severely weakened due to injuries, Raheem Sterling and Leandro Trossard were expected to step up and contribute goals. Unfortunately, neither managed to deliver when the team needed them most.

• Sterling showed flashes of his dribbling ability but failed to convert chances and was largely ineffective in the final third.
• Trossard, despite being handed multiple opportunities, lacked sharpness and composure in front of goal, struggling to create or finish key chances.

Both players will need to improve quickly as Arsenal continues to fight for crucial points in the title race before it become impossible.

🌟 Emerging Players: Ethan Nwaneri & Myles Lewis-Skelly

With Arsenal relying on young talents, Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly had moments of brilliance but also showed signs of inexperience.

• Ethan Nwaneri had an outstanding match against Manchester City, scoring a stunning long-range goal, and followed it up with a Man of the Match performance vs. Leicester, where he assisted a key goal. However, he struggled to maintain consistency, failing to make a significant impact in the West Ham and Nottingham Forest games.
• Myles Lewis-Skelly looked like a contender for Player of the Month early on, putting in dominant midfield displays. However, his reckless red card against West Ham not only hurt Arsenal’s comeback hopes but also led to his suspension vs. Forest, halting his momentum. It was a harsh learning moment, but one that will help his development in the long run.

As the season progresses, these young stars will need to build on their strengths while learning from their inconsistencies to become regular contributors in Arteta’s system.

Tactical Trends & Squad Analysis

February highlighted Arsenal’s defensive stability but also exposed major concerns in attack, particularly with the team’s struggles to find the back of the net. Arteta’s tactical decisions were shaped by an ongoing injury crisis, forcing unexpected changes in the lineup and attacking approach.

🔒 Strength: Defensive Stability

Despite an inconsistent month in terms of results, Arsenal’s defence remained solid, conceding just four goals in five games. The partnership of William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhães continued to be a rock at the back, while Jurrien Timber’s versatility at right-back or centrally provided much-needed composure.

• Key stat: Arsenal kept two clean sheets and only conceded more than one goal once (vs. Newcastle in the EFL Cup).
• Full-back contributions: With Timber and Lewis-Skelly providing width, Arsenal’s build-up play remained structured, allowing the team to control possession effectively.
• Set-piece defending: Arsenal avoided conceding from corners and free kicks this month, showing improvements in aerial duels and organization.

While the defence did their job, the attacking struggles were the biggest issue for Arteta’s side.

⚠️ Weakness: Goal Scoring Issues

Arsenal’s attack was significantly weakened due to an injury crisis that left them without four of their main forwards:

• Bukayo Saka (Hamstring) – Presumed to be out until April.
• Gabriel Martinelli (Hamstring) – Injured vs. Newcastle, sidelined for over a month.
• Gabriel Jesus (ACL) – Suspected return November 2025.
• Kai Havertz (Hamstring) Out for the season done in Dubai training camp.

With Raheem Sterling’s poor form, failing to perform anywhere near Premier League standard, Arteta was forced to experiment with Mikel Merino as a false nine.

❌ The Mikel Merino Striker Experiment

Initially, Merino’s impact off the bench against Leicester was encouraging, as he scored twice to secure a crucial win. However, when deployed as a starter up front, the system failed spectacularly:

• 0 goals in 180 minutes with Merino starting as a striker.
• Lack of movement in the box, making Arsenal’s attack static and predictable.
• Struggles against low blocks, as Merino lacks the pace or striker instinct to break defensive lines.

Without natural wide threats like Saka and Martinelli, Arsenal’s attacking shape suffered, leading to frustrating results against West Ham and Nottingham Forest, where they failed to score.

🚨 What Needs to Change?

1. Reverting Merino to midfield – His role as a late-game attacking option worked vs. Leicester, but starting him up top has failed.
2. Sterling’s role under review – Given his struggles, Arteta may need to look at alternatives, possibly even a tactical switch.
3. Finding a short-term solution in attack – With no clear striker option, Arsenal must either trust young talents like Nwaneri in attacking roles or tweak the system to create more chances.

With March fixtures crucial for Arsenal’s top-four and title push, Arteta must address the goal-scoring issues quickly if they want to remain competitive.

February’s Biggest Talking Points

February has sparked intense debates among Arsenal fans, with key discussions revolving around the club’s failure to sign a striker, Thomas Partey’s contract situation, and Arteta’s tactical decisions as injuries pile up.

🔴 The Striker Crisis: A Mistake Not to Sign One?

Throughout January, many fans and pundits were vocal about Arsenal’s need for a new striker, even before Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli, and Kai Havertz all picked up injuries. With Jesus struggling for consistent form and fitness even before his latest setback, the lack of attacking reinforcements in the winter transfer window has left Arsenal with no natural striker available.

Now, with all of Arsenal’s main forward options sidelined, the Gunners have found themselves completely unprepared, relying on experimental solutions like Merino as a false nine. The decision not to bring in a striker has come back to haunt the team, with Arsenal failing to score in crucial games against West Ham and Nottingham Forest.

Many feel that a January signing – even if not a marquee name – could have helped Arsenal maintain their attacking edge, especially as they fight for a Premier League title and Champions League success. Instead, they are now hoping for an early return from injury for their key forwards.

🔄 Thomas Partey’s Future: A Key Player, But Still Set to Leave?

For once, Thomas Partey has managed to stay fit for the majority of the season, and when deployed in his natural defensive midfield role, he has been one of Arsenal’s best and most consistent performers. His ability to control the tempo, break up opposition attacks, and provide stability in midfield has made a noticeable difference in Arsenal’s performances.

However, when forced to fill in at right-back, his effectiveness has been mixed, with some shaky performances exposing his limitations outside of midfield. Despite his strong form this season, Arsenal still appear unlikely to offer him a contract extension, with reports suggesting the club is looking to move on from the 30-year-old in the summer.

While many fans understand Arsenal’s long-term vision, Partey’s recent fitness and consistent performances at CDM have made some question whether letting him go is the right decision. After years of struggling with injuries, he has finally shown his full value to the team, and with Jorginho also potentially departing, Arsenal could risk losing two experienced midfielders in one window.

If Arsenal are truly set on letting Partey leave, they will need to find a top-class replacement capable of filling his role immediately, as his presence in midfield has been vital in the team’s best performances this season.

🤔 Arteta’s Tactical Decisions: Right Choices or Too Predictable?

With so many injuries, Mikel Arteta has had limited options to work with, and while some of his decisions have been understandable, others have drawn heavy criticism.

One of the biggest talking points has been his insistence on starting Mikel Merino as a striker, despite the clear struggles in attack when he plays in that role. The experiment worked off the bench vs. Leicester, but in back-to-back starts against West Ham and Nottingham Forest, Arsenal failed to score, and their play in the attacking third became painfully predictable.

My Take: Arteta should scrap the Merino striker experiment and instead give Ethan Nwaneri the chance to start up top. Nwaneri brings mobility, unpredictability, and creativity, all of which Arsenal desperately need in the final third.

Then, later in the game, Merino or even Riccardo Calafiori could be introduced up front to change Arsenal’s attacking style, rather than sticking to a static system for 90 minutes.

While Arteta doesn’t have many options, his decision-making has been questionable, and with March being a crucial month for Arsenal’s season, he needs to find a better attacking solution fast if the team wants to stay in the title race.

What’s Next for Arsenal in March?

March presents a pivotal period for Arsenal, featuring crucial fixtures across both the Premier League and the UEFA Champions League. After a challenging February, the Gunners aim to revitalize their form, though the road ahead appears demanding.

📅 Upcoming Fixtures

1. PSV Eindhoven vs. Arsenal
   • Date: Tuesday, March 4, 2025
   • Competition: UEFA Champions League Round of 16, First Leg
   • Venue: Philips Stadion, Eindhoven
2. Manchester United vs. Arsenal
   • Date: Sunday, March 9, 2025
   • Competition: Premier League
   • Venue: Old Trafford, Manchester
3. Arsenal vs. PSV Eindhoven
   • Date: Wednesday, March 12, 2025
   • Competition: UEFA Champions League Round of 16, Second Leg
   • Venue: Emirates Stadium, London
4. Arsenal vs. Chelsea
   • Date: Sunday, March 16, 2025
   • Competition: Premier League
   • Venue: Emirates Stadium, London

🔄 Anticipated Tactical Adjustments

Given the recent injury setbacks to key attackers—Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli, and Kai Havertz—and the underperformance of Raheem Sterling, it’s imperative for Mikel Arteta to reassess his tactical approach. The experiment of deploying Mikel Merino as a false nine has yielded limited success, with Arsenal failing to score in matches where he started in this role.

To inject unpredictability and dynamism into the attack, Arteta might consider granting Ethan Nwaneri a starting position up front. Nwaneri’s agility and creativity could pose new challenges to opposition defences. Additionally, introducing Merino or Riccardo Calafiori later in matches could offer a different attacking dimension, potentially catching opponents off guard.

🔑 Key Players to Rely On

In this testing phase, Arsenal will heavily depend on the following stalwarts:

• Martin Ødegaard: The midfield maestro’s vision and playmaking abilities are crucial for orchestrating attacks and creating goal-scoring opportunities.
• Gabriel Magalhães: As a central defensive pillar, Gabriel’s leadership and defensive acumen will be vital in maintaining solidity at the back.
• David Raya: Between the posts, Raya’s shot-stopping prowess and command of the penalty area provide a reliable last line of defence.

🔮 Outlook for March

While there’s optimism about potential tactical innovations and the return of injured players, the reality is that March could mirror February’s inconsistencies. The blend of high-stakes fixtures and squad challenges suggests that Arsenal may continue to experience a rollercoaster of results. Nonetheless, with strategic adjustments and standout performances from key players, there’s hope for a positive turnaround.

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Final Thoughts & Fan Interaction

February was a month of highs and lows for Arsenal. While the 5-1 thrashing of Manchester City showed the team’s potential, the lack of goals in key games highlighted the ongoing striker dilemma. With a demanding March ahead, Arteta must find solutions quickly, whether that means changing up the attack, adjusting tactics, or getting key players back from injury.

Now it’s your turn, Gunners fans! What do you think? 💬

🔴 Should Arteta continue with Merino up front, or give Nwaneri a chance?
⚽ Did Arsenal make a huge mistake not signing a striker in January?
📉 Can we recover from this inconsistent form and still push for a title challenge?

Drop your thoughts in the comments below! Let’s hear what the Arsenal family has to say! 🔥👊 #COYG