Arteta got it completely wrong… and supporters have let him know

Wake Up Call: 3 Things Mikel Arteta Did That Cost Arsenal the Win vs Man City

Mikel Arteta only had himself to blame after questionable tactics and team selection led to Arsenal taking a 1-1 draw at home to Manchester City on Sunday evening.

The Gunners were in control of proceedings but were undone by a wonderful counter-attacking move in the ninth minute. A majestic Erling Haaland goal saw him surge forward and tuck the ball away with his right foot. As soon as Tijani Reijnders played him the ball, it was inevitable he’d find the back of the net.

Arteta’s men looked to respond and tested Gianluigi Donnarumma on several occasions, including on the stroke of half-time when Noni Madueke’s fierce strike required a strong save from the Italian. A lack of risk in some of Arteta’s decision-making, as seen today, is proving costly in his quest to end his side’s title drought.

Gabriel Martinelli celebrating after scoring against Manchester City for Arsenal

The Spaniard slightly made amends when second-half substitutes Eberechi Eze and Gabriel Martinelli came to the rescue. Martinelli latched onto a superb ball over the top from the Englishman and earned his side a point, but Arteta will undoubtedly be scrutinised.

Arteta’s Midfield Mistake

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Jamie Carragher insisted before today’s game that Arsenal have “the best squad in the country” and the strength in depth means Arteta has plenty of options for different opposition. He trialled a midfield three of Martin Zubimendi, Declan Rice and Mikel Merino in his side’s disappointing 1-0 loss away to Liverpool last month.

It appeared he’d learned from this when he decided to switch Rice for Martin Odegaard in a 3-0 victory over Nottingham Forest last weekend. His captain may have picked up an injury in that game, but Arteta chose to bring on Ethan Nwaneri for the Norwegian.

A midfield trio of Zubimendi, Rice and Merino lacks a natural playmaker and that was telling in their defeat to City. They needed a creative spark in the middle of the park and one has to wonder why the Spanish tactician doesn’t view Eberechi Eze as the go-to without Odegaard in attacking midfield.

Fans were also bemused by the decision to go with a midfield that was second best against their other familiar title rivals, Liverpool. Mikel Merino was particularly disappointing at the Emirates.

One found fault with Merino:

“Merino in midfield is a disaster!”

Another added:

“28 minutes in and I’m struggling to see what Merino offers in midfield. He’s a passenger.”

One stated:

“Waste of a half due to a cowardly starting team. Saka and Eze on for Trossard and Merino now.”

Another concluded:

“The Zubi-Rice-Merino midfield trio is not only poor on the ball and lack creativity, it’s also bang average defensively, teams blitz past it in transition That midfield has zero positives. I will never understand it.”

Turning To Trossard

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One big surprise when Arteta’s teamsheet was announced came out on the left as he opted for Leandro Trossard over a seemingly revived Gabriel Martinelli and summer signing Eze. It was a bold move that seemed to be based on an impressive showing midweek in a 2-0 win over Athletic Bilbao with a goal and assist to his name.

Trossard wasn’t poor today but was certainly outshone by Noni Madueke and then Bukayo Saka on the right-hand side. The Gunners’ main threat came down that channel, and the 30-year-old didn’t really affect the game as he would have liked before Ethan Nwaneri replaced him.

It feels at this stage of his career that the former Brighton winger is better used as an impact sub rather than a starter. Arteta’s tendency to place his faith in a player like Trossard in a high-pressure, must-win game like the City visit causes concern.

Madueke Madness

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If you ask most rival fans who has caught the eye the most at Arsenal so far this season, they will tell you Noni Madueke, who has even proven Gary Neville wrong. The English winger was a bright spark on the right, driving towards goal with purpose and stinging the gloves of Donnarumma on one occasion.

Arteta got it right, starting Madueke despite the return of Bukayo Saka from injury, but bringing him off for his compatriot was perplexing. He decided to substitute the player posing the biggest threat instead of choosing to switch the versatile England international over to Trossard’s left.

Madueke was having some joy out wide and looked confident before he was withdrawn at half-time. The former Chelsea star’s pace would have been more effective for at least another thirty minutes, rather than the ineffective contribution Trossard made.