Mikel Arteta coached a win against Port Vale – but his tactics could cost Arsenal during the latter months of the Premier League season
It hasn’t been a vintage start to the season for Arsenal, Liverpool – after just five games – are almost out of sight at the summit of the Premier League table.
The Gunners had to dig deep over the weekend, rescuing a late point thanks to Gabriel Martinelli, who had come off the bench. Martinelli was in the starting side for their trip to Stoke-on-Trent against Port Vale, in a very strong team.
Only two players who started the physically and mentally taxing game against City were given the nod on Wednesday evening – William Saliba and Mikel Merino. However, five of Wednesday’s starters had come off the bench.
There are two coins of thought here – one is Arteta was respecting the competiton and Port Vale. However, the other is Arteta is already stretching his small squad thin.
It’s a decision that both Liverpool and City avoided for their Carabao Cup clashes. City started Divine Mukasa up top, while Kaden Braithwaite, Jaden Heskey, Stephen Mfuni and Reigan Heskey all made the bench.
Liverpool, on the other hand, started Giovanni Leoni, Trey Nyoni and Rio Ngumoha (who, to be fair, could already be considered a first-team star).
The youngsters in Arsenal’s squad? Ethan Nwaneri and Max Dowman – both of whom have been around the first team all season.
It was the chance to hand his star’s some well earned rest and Arteta decided to stick with the first team side.
“Tomorrow they’ll say we only won the league because they have injuries,” one Liverpool fan remarked after seeing the starting side. While another replied: “I wanna win, don’t get me wrong, but isn’t this a tad too strong?”
“With Noni’s injury, There’s no way Saka should be starting this match. Give Dowman the start. Liverpool played Rio last night for 70 odd minutes,” a third pointe dout.
And another added: “Was it necessary to start Bukayo Saka and William Saliba?”
Arsenal did win the game, but it could come at a cost for Arteta’s side during the run-in.
Eberechi Eze got the ball rolling as he fired the ball into the back of the net, his first in Arsenal colours, when he was found by Martinelli. “Slick football from the Gunners,” Alan Smith said on Sky Sports. “That’s a big moment for Eze. He takes that like a training ground goal.”
Leandro Trossard would make sure of the result, finding the bottom corner in the final minutes of the clash.
#Mikel #Artetas #poor #decision #cost #Arsenal #Premier #League #glory #Port #Vale #win
