One ‘surprising’ Arteta decision during Arsenal win over Sheffield Utd now questioned

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Arsenal are set to face Brentford as Mikel Arteta’s side aim to pick up where they left off against Sheffield United.

The Gunners put in a sensational performance to win 6-0 at Bramall Lane, and this also saw the likes of Bukayo Saka and Ben White substituted off for valuable rest time with the game already won.

There is very little to complain about at Arsenal right now, but Emile Smith Rowe watched the victory as an unused substitute, amid his already uncertain future, and some are frustrated that the midfielder could not be given more minutes.

Whilst Thomas Partey and Gabriel Jesus came back from injury off the bench, outcast Cedric Soares was also substituted on, and this decision has now been questioned.

Mikel Arteta decision to substitute Cedric Soares questioned

Speaking on the Arsenal Beat Podcast, journalist Jordan Campbell admitted he was surprised that Cedric was given gametime, with Eddie Nketiah, Reiss Nelson and Smith Rowe watching from the bench.

“I did expect to see Smith Rowe especially, I did expect to see him at, if not half time, then certainly in the last 20 minutes, but especially when you bring on Cedric Soares at right back,” Campbell explained.

“What are you actually learning from him by bringing him into the game? You know he’s not in the plans, he’s sort of a last resort player in the squad, and I think we even saw when he came on, it was such an easy game but we saw the difference in level, where he was putting the ball down the channel and just didn’t look to be in the same wavelength as a lot of other players.

“I found that a little surprising, but in Arteta’s defence he sees them every single day and he was speaking after the game saying that everyone’s got to earn their place in the team.”

Why Cedric Soares has come on in Arsenal’s victories

Cedric was the only natural defender on the bench against Sheffield United, as the returns of Partey, Jesus and Fabio Vieira meant there was no room on the bench for youngsters such as Reuell Walters.

With Takehiro Tomiyasu still sidelined, maintaining Ben White’s fitness has never been more important, given his ability to play different roles to help the likes of Jakub Kiwior adapt to the side.

This means that when Arsenal are 5-0 up at half time, he can allow White extra rest to maintain his best fitness, with little consequence on the scoreline.

Cedric is an experienced player, and should there be another injury in the back line, he may find he needs to step in, and keeping him somewhat match-fit could be important, so the veteran coming on for 20 minutes with results already secure is understandable.