Tim Sherwood reckons Mikel Arteta made a decision vs Liverpool that Arne Slot would’ve loved

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Arne Slot was the happier of the two managers when Arsenal faced Liverpool on matchday three of the season.

There were pros and cons to Arsenal suffering defeat at Anfield, with the positive being that it happened so early into the season. 

A lot can change from now to May, but for the Gunners, there will undoubtedly be a feeling of missed opportunity when it comes to the blockbuster on matchday three.

Liverpool weren’t at their best, but Arsenal’s lack of creativity proved to be a hindrance, something that might’ve pleased Arne Slot. 

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Arne Slot would’ve loved that Mikel Arteta didn’t start Eberechi Eze

Slot acknowledged that there wasn’t a lot between Liverpool and Arsenal, with the game heading towards a 0-0 draw before Dominik Szoboszlai converted a freak 32-yard free kick. 

Despite the game being so evenly contested, Arteta collected a lot of criticism from the media, notably because of the starting XI he fielded. 

Several pundits have reacted to Mikel Merino starting ahead of Eberechi Eze, a decision that shocked many. 

Tim Sherwood was the latest to join in on the debate, predicting that Arteta’s decision to start Eze on the bench would’ve pleased Slot. 

“I understand why he played Martinelli. I would have played Zubimendi and Rice, I would’ve used those two as the holding two, and I would’ve used Eze in the ten and left Merino out,” Sherwood said to Premier League Productions’ Generation XG.

“He brings the flair, he brings the drive with the ball, he’s more direct. If you asked Arne Slot if he was happy to see Eze off the team sheet, the answer would’ve been yes.”

Eze has caused Liverpool real problems in the past, and had already played the Reds this season before making the move to Arsenal, but Arteta’s mind was made up. 

Slot predicted how his team reacted when Eze came on 

The international break has come at a frustrating time for the Arsenal manager, as discourse regarding the decision to start Merino just won’t stop. 

Rewinding back to the clash at Anfield and Slot suggested that his players were left surprised by Arsenal’s set-up, but in a different way.

Speaking in his post-match press conference, Slot said his team would’ve felt as though they were containing Arsenal well, only to see Martin Odegaard and Eze introduced on the 70th-minute mark.

“I think they thought, ‘Wow, we did a great job,’ and then they look at the line and see [Eberechi] Eze and [Martin] Odegaard coming in!”

The decision almost paid off, as Arsenal were minutes away from securing a point, but that’s where the frustration lies, as many hoped to see the Gunners set up in a way that conveyed their desire to win.