Arsenal dropped two points in the title race when they drew 1-1 with Brighton on Saturday evening, giving Liverpool the chance to move eight points clear on Sunday.
The Gunners were missing five key players and Mikel Arteta's side struggled for quality against the Seagulls. They got off to a good start thanks to Ethan Nwaneri's goal in the first half, but Joao Pedro struck from the penalty spot after a controversial decision to frustrate the away side.
It was far from a vintage performance from Arsenal and there is still a lot of work to be done ahead of some tough games against Newcastle, Manchester United and Tottenham.
And that raises new questions about whether Arsenal should add a new striker in this month's transfer window.
For Arsenal, the opening days of January were once again dominated by whether they need a prolific goalscorer to get them over the line.
And on a night when Mikel Arteta's team dropped another two points in a title race that is not far from over, there was both evidence that a productive No. 9 is a more urgent requirement than ever, and that the solution to the longer term may well be within their limits. eyes.
Ethan Nwaneri is raw and needs plenty of finesse, but his 16th-minute opener, which was canceled out after just over an hour by Joao Pedro's questionable penalty, gave another glimpse of a youngster Arteta believes could eventually become converted into a striker.
And how they need it, as Gabriel Jesus produced an anonymous performance on the south coast to calm rumors that the Brazilian could discover a level of form that could help Arsenal overtake Liverpool, who remain five points clear with two games in hand before facing Manchester United. on Sunday.
Mikel Arteta said he had never been awarded such a penalty and the decision appeared to divide opinion online, with Arsenal fans reacting furiously.
But the call was double-checked by VAR, with the Premier League confirming in a statement that there was enough contact between William Saliba and Joao Pedro to warrant a penalty.
Mikel Arteta said ahead of the match that Arsenal can win the Premier League title this season even if they do not sign a new striker this month.
The Gunners have finished second behind Manchester City in the past two seasons after falling agonizingly short. And Arteta's men have once again been accused of not having the firepower to get them over the line this time.
Top scorer Kai Havertz has netted just seven times, but Gabriel Jesus' return to form has boosted Arsenal's bid to close the gap on Liverpool. Jesus' hot streak has also reduced pressure on Arsenal to strengthen in January, despite Arteta being urged to push the boat out to compete with the free-scoring leaders.
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