Third-placed Arsenal have 30 points after 16 games and have not won half of their matches, showing a decline in form compared to the previous two campaigns.
Last season at the same stage they had 36 points and were in second place, while the previous season they were top of the table with 40 points.
They have only lost twice so far, the same number as in the previous two seasons, but draws have cost them this season with six to their name.
After failing to beat Fulham last Sunday, Arsenal have now drawn two back-to-back league games since April 2023, with this being their first goalless draw at home to Newcastle since January 2023.
So does the lack of a prolific striker become a problem?
Arsenal have scored four fewer goals than at this stage last season and 11 fewer than in 2022-23.
Their shot conversion rate is 12.8%, which is comparable to their expected conversion rate of 12.3%.
After 16 games this season, they have scored the same number of non-penalty goals as last season (27), but have scored four fewer penalties.
The Gunners had 13 fewer shots than at the same stage last season.
Their current expected goals (xG) is 27.7 compared to 29.71 after 16 games last season and 31.53 at the same stage in 2022-23.
Arsenal have found the net 29 times this season, but the better teams in the league tend to outperform their xG because they have better players at their disposal.
In contrast, Arteta’s side exceeded their xG by three goals last season and by 8.5 in 2022-23.
Of the 27 goals (excluding penalties) they have scored in the Premier League this season, nine have been scored from set pieces, representing 33.33% of their total tally.
So Arsenal’s finishing performance is worse in terms of above-average xG numbers, which could be helped by a top striker, but their creativity in terms of shot attempts is also low.
You could also argue, although the striker could also help with this in terms of more movement and anticipation, which will help him get chances that others wouldn’t.
