Arsenal lost against Aston Villa today and Paul Merson has slammed Mikel Arteta for his role in the defeat.
The Gunners boss opted to go with a few chances after seeing his Arsenal side draw 2-2 in midweek with Bayern Munich.
But those changes, which included dropping Kai Havertz further back into midfield and leaving Jorginho out, just did not work.
In the end, goals from Ollie Watkins and Leon Bailey ensured Villa walked away with all three points as Arteta was left to lick his wounds.
For the Arsenal manager, there was a lot to ponder.
But speaking about Arteta after the game and the team he’d gone with, former Arsenal man Paul Merson had no sympathy for the Spaniard and insisted he’d let certain players convince him to change things.
Paul Merson slams Mikel Arteta after Arsenal lose to Aston Villa
Speaking on Sky Sports after the game, Merson doubled down on his comments before the game where he’d questioned the decision to leave Jorginho out and play Gabriel Jesus.
“I said before the game I didn’t like Arteta’s decision with the team he picked. Keep on playing the same team that wins every week, don’t have the wool pulled over your eyes for a 25-minute cameo against Bayern Munich. Jesus comes on and does well and he moves Havertz,” Merson said.
“They’ve won nine of 10 with Jorginho and Havertz playing where they were. It was a bench today that if it wasn’t going right, he didn’t have anyone. Usually, you have Trossard and Jesus to come on. He did it against Southampton last season when he left Jorginho out last season. The pressure gets to everybody. That’s where you need a Pep Guardiola who keeps cool.”
Gabriel Jesus needs replacing by Arsenal
A lot of Man City fans said this when he signed for Arsenal for £45m but Gabriel Jesus just does not score enough goals for the very top level.
He is a fine player who has his attributes and he has played a big part in helping Arsenal get closer to City.
However, when it comes to the crunch, the goals just aren’t there. And for Arsenal, it might mean they need to look for a replacement in the summer.
The Gunners have been linked with a host of players and the time might now have come for Mikel Arteta to really consider going out and getting that natural number nine.
Jesus has done well at Arsenal but it looks like they need more.
Today was further evidence of this and the Brazilian will do well to see out the summer, with Juventus apparently lurking to sign him.
The post 'I didn't like': Paul Merson slams Mikel Arteta; says he let £45m Arsenal man pull the wool over his eyes appeared first on TBR Football.