Why Arsenal defeat to Tottenham can be good for Viktor Gyokeres and Noni Madueke | OneFootball

Summer signings hope to be the solution to Mikel Arteta’s problem position

Impact: Viktor Gyokeres

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The new season is almost upon us, but familiar problems resurfaced for Arsenal in their 1-0 defeat to Tottenham on Thursday.

But the Arsenal manager will know there is still work to do to ensure his side are ready for their Premier League opener at Old Trafford in just over two weeks.

The biggest concern for Arsenal remains their left flank, which was an issue for much of last season and struggled against Spurs.

Gabriel Martinelli had a quiet game, with his only real chance coming when he flashed a shot over the bar after a slick lay-off from Kai Havertz.

Madueke is due to join Arsenal training next week ahead of a likely debut days later

Leandro Trossard fared little better. Introduced with a quarter of the match remaining, the Belgian was forced off just 17 minutes later.

“He felt a little tweak,” said Arteta. “I think he tried to turn and he was pushed and he felt something muscular, so we'll have to assess him.”

The contrast with the right side of the pitch was stark. One of the major positives from Arsenal’s pre-season tour of Asia has been Ben White and Bukayo Saka rekindling their chemistry on that flank.

The pair combined well on several occasions and, especially in the second half, White had some joy against Spurs when overlapping.

Martin Odegaard has also begun to look more like himself and is benefiting from the right side functioning well.

Even Max Dowman, who is only 15, made an impression during his brief cameo against Spurs. The teenager’s dribbling caused enough problems that Tottenham resorted to doubling up on him.

Noni Madueke is set to train with Arsenal next week

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The challenge for Arteta is to make Arsenal a more balanced side when attacking and not so reliant on their right flank.

The arrival of Noni Madueke could help that and the winger will have been watching this game thinking he could break into the team on the left.

Arsenal need to try something different on that flank and a natural left-footer like Madueke, who excels when driving at defenders, is worth an experiment.

Madueke missed the pre-season tour to Asia as he was competing at the Club World Cup with Chelsea earlier this summer.

The 23-year-old is due to join training when Arsenal return to London and he will hope to play a part in next week’s two friendlies against Athletic Bilbao and Villarreal at Emirates Stadium.

Debut: Viktor Gyokeres got his first minutes against Spurs

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Viktor Gyokeres will also hope to play a fuller part in those matches. The striker made his debut against Spurs, coming on for the final 15 minutes, but had little impact; a reflection of his lack of match fitness.

His integration, however, may have wider implications, as Gyokeres’ arrival could breathe life into Arsenal’s left side. At Sporting, the Swede often drifted toward the left channel - a movement that could help support whoever is playing wide on that flank.

That sort of dynamic once helped Martinelli flourish when Gabriel Jesus was leading the line. Jesus frequently pulled wide, creating overloads and space for Martinelli to cut inside.

Since Jesus’ injury struggles, Martinelli has often looked isolated and less effective. If Gyokeres can replicate that movement, it could go some way to restoring Arsenal’s balance in attack.

Another option is for Arsenal to dip into the transfer market. Many Arsenal fans would prefer the club to bolster the left wing - a position seen as a priority alongside a new striker.

Arsenal are interested in Crystal Palace playmaker Eberechi Eze, and he would certainly liven up their left side.

Few players are as creative as Eze, whose ability to operate in tight spaces and play instinctively makes him different to the profile of player Arsenal have out left right now.

Whether a deal for Eze can be struck remains to be seen. The 27-year-old is certainly keen on the move, but there is a sense from those in the game that Arsenal may need to sell first before trying to strike a deal with Palace.

For now, everyone - including Eze - waits. And Arsenal’s problem on the left wing remains unsolved.