Arsenal duo urged to ‘step up’ by Clinton Morrison as Mikel Arteta needs more

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Arsenal remain in contention for titles in all four tournaments, but Clinton Morrison
has now urged two players to ‘step up’ as boss Mikel Arteta needs more from them.

The Gunners face a tough challenge to catch and also move clear of Liverpool in the Premier League title race, but remain firmly in contention ahead of the crucial festive period. Arsenal can even reach their first EFL Cup semi-final since 2021/22 when they meet Crystal Palace.

A place in the Champions League round of 16 is even almost in the bag after Arsenal beat AS Monaco 3-0 to move into third place in the league phase standings with two ties to play. The FA Cup also comes around shortly into the New Year when Arsenal host Manchester United.

Clinton Morrison urges Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard to ‘step up’ for Arsenal

But while the Emirates Stadium side are still fighting for honours on all four fronts, Morrison feels Arsenal manager Arteta needs more from Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard. The ex-Crystal Palace star is convinced that Arsenal are too reliant on Bukayo Saka in the attack.

Saka has once again been one of the central talismans in north London this term with Arteta regularly leaning on Arsenal’s right-hand side to guide their play. No Premier League side has in fact relied on their right this term as much as the Gunners, who rely on their left the least.

READ MORE: All Mikel Arteta signings at Arsenal ranked from worst to best

Part of the reason why Arsenal prefer to attack with Saka plus captain Martin Odegaard from their right-hand side is the lack of consistency Martinelli and Trossard have given on the left-hand channel. So, Morrison is desperate to see the Brazilian and Belgian ‘step up’ for Arteta.

“They rely too much on Saka,” Morrison told Sky Sports News (14/12, 12:38). “Other players have to step up to the mark. You look at Martinelli, you look at Trossard, these other players need to get goals.”

Mikel Arteta relies on Bukayo Saka with Arsenal fielding a very unbalanced attack

Saka has often needed to shoulder much of the attacking burden at Arsenal this season with Martinelli and Trossard unable to present a comparable impact from their left, let alone with consistency. Their inconsistency has also seen Arteta chop and change which player starts.

Even Martin Keown has given Martinelli advice, with the Arsenal legend sensing the Brazilian is rushing his chances. The 23-year-old is often brilliant on the ball when Martinelli is forcing right-backs to retreat yet his decision-making in the final third has let him and Arsenal down.

Yet Arteta has regularly kept Martinelli in their XI as the Gunners’ alternative option has also not been able to consistently step up. Even some Arsenal players ignored Trossard at Fulham when the winger urged for the ball during their recent 1-1 draw away in the Premier League.