Micah Richards thinks Arsenal still have one major issue after what he saw in Man United clash

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Micah Richards was concerned by one particular area of Arsenal’s team during their victory over Manchester United on Sunday.

Arsenal ran out 1-0 winners at Old Trafford, courtesy of a short-range header from Riccardo Calafiori inside the opening 15 minutes.

Despite claiming all three points, the Gunners were far from their best in the north-west, struggling to control the game against a poor United side.

Gary Neville was unimpressed with Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli, although there were arguably greater issues for Mikel Arteta to mull over moving forward.

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Micah Richards concerned by Arsenal’s left-hand side

Arsenal are typically fluent on the right-hand side of their attack, using the interchanges of movement between Saka, Ben White and Martin Odegaard to unlock teams.

However, against United, this trio failed to execute in key moments and were subsequently somewhat muted on the day.

That said, the right-hand side still looked vaguely threatening in certain moments, with Odegaard and Saka regularly getting into good positions to pull something off.

The same cannot be said for the left-hand side, with Martinelli, Calafiori and Declan Rice not combining very often to mount dangerous attacks.

Speaking on the Rest is Football podcast, Micah Richards expressed concern about the Gunners’ left-hand side dynamics.

“I just look at that position on the left and think, if they could sort that, when they were linked with Rodrygo, that could sort a lot of problems for them,” Richards said.

Martinelli was peripheral throughout, and when he did receive the ball in forward areas, lacked composure and conviction with his final action.

While Calafiori was impressive, Rice’s sloppiness and seeming lack of fitness resulted in this side of the Gunners’ attack being completely dysfunctional.

However, Richards was impressed by Arsenal’s squad depth, although Noni Madueke and Myles Lewis-Skelly didn’t really change Arteta’s team’s fortunes on the left after coming on.

Arsenal need to sign Rodrygo to solve left-hand side issue

It’s clear that the only way for Arsenal’s left-hand side to improve is if the personnel changes.

Eberechi Eze is set to join Tottenham, meaning the Gunners will have to look elsewhere for this reinforcement.

Rodrygo remains on Arsenal’s radar, and the Brazilian is undoubtedly the best option available on the market.

A goal threat, an effective dribbler and a player who still trusts himself to create separation from defenders, Rodrygo has all the attributes Martinelli has been struggling with over the last year.

If the Gunners are still somehow able to enact a move for the Real Madrid man, then they ought to do so before the window slams shut.