Arsenal have made a name for themselves in scoring late goals, with their meeting against Manchester City at the Emirates yesterday another example of their late heroics.
Gabriel Martinelli’s late goal off the substitutes bench secured a vital point for Mikel Arteta’s men – keeping them just a couple of points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool.
However, despite the last-gasp effort from the Brazilian, the Gunners boss certainly made a few questionable calls which ultimately cost the side three points in North London.
There’s no denying that the investment over the summer has provided key depth to the Spaniard, but he’s still yet to figure out his best eleven on a regular basis.
One of the biggest issues that plagued his side yesterday was his selection in one area of the pitch – with such a decision being a conservative one rather than one to challenge Pep Guardiola’s side.
Arteta’s midfield disappointment against Man City
After Martin Odegaard was ruled out with the shoulder injury sustained against Nottingham Forest, Arteta had a huge dilemma as to who to utilise in his Arsenal midfield against Man City.
He decided to go with Declan Rice, Martin Zubimendi and Mikel Merino as a flat trio, but it was a decision that ultimately proved to be the wrong one.
None of the aforementioned talents are a natural number ten, which saw the Gunners lack a huge amount of creativity, especially in the first 45 minutes.
The Spaniard’s side had 68% of possession in such a period, but only registered one shot on target – dominating the play but unable to break down the visitors’ backline.
Guardiola’s men were comfortable with the hosts maintaining as much of the ball as they did, putting their focus into counterattacks – as showcased by Erling Haaland’s first-half strike.
Arteta did eventually make the changes his side needed, which resulted in Martinelli’s late effort, with the manager needing to start one player on a consistent basis in the weeks ahead.
The Arsenal star who must start every game
Given the influx of additions, along with the players already at Arteta’s disposal, it was always going to take time for the manager to work out his best starting eleven.
The volume of competitions the club will take part in will require strength in depth, but it’s also vital that the boss creates a settled side in their title charge.
Zubimendi and Viktor Gyokeres have already cemented their place in the first eleven, both starting every one of the club’s first five Premier League outings.
However, fellow summer addition Eberechi Eze has had to bide his time in making an impact for the Gunners, after joining from Crystal Palace in a £60m transfer.
The England international has only started twice since his transfer, often having to resort to minutes off the substitutes bench to make an impact on proceedings.
He’d already registered an assist from a starting position, picking out Gyokeres for the second goal in the 3-0 triumph over Nottingham Forest at the Emirates last weekend.
However, Arteta decided that the 27-year-old would start on the bench against Guardiola’s men – a decision that proved to be a mistake given his impact after coming on at the break.
Minutes played
45
Touches
32
Passes completed
87%
Passes into the final third
2
Big chances created
1
Assists registered
1
Shot on target accuracy
100%
Duels won
50%
He completed 87% of the passes he attempted, two of which were into the final third, allowing him to create one big chance in the process – offering the side the needed attacking presence they craved in the first half.
Eze also provided the perfectly sighted pass over the top for Martinelli to run on to, further showcasing the superb creative nature he possesses when in possession of the ball.
As a result of his second half cameo, the Englishman was handed an 8/10 match rating by GOAL’s Sean Walsh – subsequently highlighting the impact he had off the bench.
Given his showing off the bench, Arteta simply can’t look past Eze for the Gunners’ next outing, with his talent massively aiding the club’s ambitions of ending their title drought.
It’s clear that the deep-lying midfield trio didn’t work against a side that’s prepared to sit deep, with Eze arguably being the perfect player to unlock the goods going forward.