Ian Wright says he’s seen Mikel Arteta make a ‘couple’ of mistakes at Arsenal this season

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Mikel Arteta will be more desperate than ever to deliver the Premier League title to Arsenal in May.

Things have started well for Arsenal, who have turned the narrative that the Premier League is Liverpool’s to lose on its head.

It was only a matter of weeks ago that the Gunners trailed Liverpool in the Premier League table by five points; now they lead the pack by a point after matchday seven.

The October international break will give Arteta the time to assess what his squad are doing well and what needs improvement, but Ian Wright thinks the Arsenal manager also needs to reflect on his own performance.

• READ MORE: Ian Wright says one Arsenal player will become almost unstoppable if he’s just more consistent

Ian Wright says Mikel Arteta has to learn from his early mistakes to win the Premier League

Arteta has collected criticism early in the season, mostly being scrutinised for his team selection.

Jamie Carragher insisted Arteta will never change how safely he plays things when his squad face a game against some of the Premier League’s best.

The Spaniard has been accused of taking a conservative approach, a matter he seems to be learning from and a matter that Wright thinks the boss needs to deeply consider going forward.

Speaking on the Stick To Football, Wright said that while it’s clear that Arsenal have a good chance of winning the title, it’s on Arteta to get his team selection right when it counts. 

“You know something? What last week done was reaffirmed to people that, listen, we’re in there with a great chance, with a great squad. I think we’ve got the best squad in the league at the moment,” Wright said.

“I don’t care what anyone says, and now it’s up to the manager, making sure that he puts the right piece on the picture at the right time.

“Simply because I’ve seen a couple of results where I think he should have started with different people and get the game done. But then he does his thing in respect of bringing people on as finishers.”

One decision that infuriated Wright was when Arteta didn’t start Eberechi Eze against Manchester City, but the boss learned his lesson, as the playmaker came on and did what no one else could.

The numbers that show Arteta is learning his lesson

That afternoon, Eze was introduced, and later in the game, he assisted the pivotal equaliser for Gabriel Martinelli’s goal.

It was a result earned by the substitutes, which is something Arteta knows he can do, but equally, can’t rely on.

Fortunately, the manager understands this, as seen by the nature of the Gunners’ previous two Premier League results compared to those prior. 

Arsenal’s lack of chance creation was criticised after tests against Manchester City, Manchester United and Liverpool.

Against Newcastle and West Ham, Arsenal created a combined eight big chances, whereas against their big six rivals, the Gunners created just three.

Squad selection debates are quietening because of how the North Londoners are now playing, relieving pressure from Arteta momentarily.