Mikel Arteta’s team selection against Liverpool raised eyebrows, with many questioning his tactical intent going into the match.
Leaving out Eberechi Eze, especially with Bukayo Saka unavailable and Martin Odegaard on the bench, was a controversial call. Who was meant to be Arsenal’s creative spark?
A midfield trio of Mikel Merino, Martin Zubimendi, and Declan Rice felt like a setup designed to defend rather than play progressive football.
Arteta’s substitutions, excluding the forced change of injured William Saliba for Cristhian Mosquera, came after the 70-minute mark, a clear indication that Arsenal were more focused on avoiding defeat than chasing victory.
Arteta’s game plan criticised
Jamie Carragher and Theo Walcott both criticised Arteta’s approach, highlighting a lack of boldness, something they believe separates Arsenal from title rivals Liverpool.
Speaking on Sky Sports, via The Independent, Carragher said:
“Liverpool have got what Arteta and Arsenal haven’t got right now, that edge, that something, that mentality to go and win big matches at big away grounds.
“Liverpool believe they should be winning these matches and I’m not sure Arsenal do. They’re happy not to lose, and it’s costing them.”
Walcott echoed those sentiments:
“We talk about the risk, and Arsenal aren’t doing it at this moment in time. You have to take risks if you want to win these games.”
Arsenal must take more risks
This defeat should serve as a lesson. Arteta has some of the league’s most exciting attackers at his disposal, he does not need to default to the pragmatic approach he chose against Liverpool.
Sometimes, you have to take risks to win the biggest prizes. If Eze was not ready to start due to tactical integration, Arteta could have gambled with Ethan Nwaneri.
Alternatively, Eze should have come on early in the second half to play as a No.10, with Rice and Merino anchoring the midfield. It was obvious Zubimendi was struggling.
Also, why not introduce Max Dowman earlier? And why was Leandro Trossard, who has rescued Arsenal on countless occasions, not given a chance to influence the game?
Just last Monday, ten-man Newcastle showed how to play against this Liverpool side: attack relentlessly and you will expose their fragile defence.
Arsenal did not do that. They played into Liverpool’s hands. What else could anyone expect?
Your thoughts appreciated in the comments.
Daniel O
__________________________________________________________________________________________
ADMIN COMMENT
So here are some simple rules which I must insist commenters follow….
You agree not to give any personal abuse to other Arsenal fans. Everyone is allowed to hold their own opinions even if you disagree with them. It COSTS NOTHING TO BE POLITE TO OTHER ARSENAL FANS.
CALLING ALL ARSENAL FANS! Anyone who would like to contribute an Article or Video opinion piece on JustArsenal, please contact us through this link…
Yeah I agree, I noticed the exact same thing when I saw the team sheet. Yes, maybe Odegaard wasn’t fit enough to start, but then start Eze at least.
There was no creativity there at all.
I totally agree. Arteta was spineless yesterday. Selected some wrong players from the start and even couldn’t make the right changes at half time that were very much needed. What a waste of such good talent left sitting on the bench!
Martinelli- as usual very poor. What will it take to make Arteta see this! and finally stop using him as a first choice and Merino as he was just as bad.
If I was Berta and the Board I would not be happy with Arteta this morning! £300 million spent and he puts a team out like that against a major club, who we could have beaten as they are not currently at their best. He definitely got it wrong yesterday and it has cost him and the club 3 crucial points!
Hope this is the only hiccup because if not, Arteta will need to be replaced in the Jan window for the sake of the club.
Arteta’s infatuation with ex-Sociedad players, SHALL NOT make Arsenal an entertaiing team! Not with the weak midfielders Arteta prefers; in a physical premier league!
Merino, an ever weak player who has not adjusted to the physicality of the EPL, is preferred to Eze (yes, he was yet to acclimatise with his new team mates), but what about the youngster, Nwaneri (who performed superbly against Leeds, when the captain walked off)?
Merino’s and Zubimendi’s ineffectives in the midfield is an eyesore, yet Arteta never sees that the three (including Rice) cannot rise up to the calibre of Partey, Xhaka and Odegaard before them!
It is such callousness (from Arteta) that is denying fans from enjoying Arsenal games!
I’m not going to blast our players by any means.
Merino has a place in our squad, but offers something different, not something that was needed yesterday. We needed creativity from the start.
Not playing for a draw.
So boring to watch Artetas conservative style.
He should have played Nwanieri or Eze instead of Merino, since Odegaard didn’t start. But more importantly, LET GO OF THE HANDBRAKE.
Gyokeres gets NO passes, central midfielders makes 0 runs into the box, and the controlling passive style is just soul-crushing to see.
Seems Arteta is more focused on not conceding, then scoring. Also, where’s the value for money for our supporters who’s paid to see them play?
I want Arteta out, and Fabregas in, as manager. Fabregas would inject Wengers philosophies with one touch soccer, freedom to play for technical players, and direct style.
I wouldn’t go as far as saying Arteta out just yet, but the thought of Fabregas coming in is an interesting thought.
Fabregas or even Zidane would be better
Well both know what is required to win a league and CL.
We need someone who will take the bull by the horns and go or it. Arteta does not seem able to do this. Fabregas – very interesting and probably would.
We need someone tough and who would take a “gamble” and know when to make that change when not working.