Mikel Arteta has shown his ruthlessness at Arsenal on many occasions over the years.
The Spaniard got the job at the Emirates Stadium even though he had no previous experience as a manager, but that didn’t stop him from making big decisions.
From getting rid of players like Mesut Ozil and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to making big changes to his team when players are not performing, he has shown that he is fearless.
That has led to a claim from Paul Merson, saying Arteta doesn’t fully trust all his players. The pundit referenced the situations of Eberechi Eze and Riccardo Calafiori to justify his opinion.
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Paul Merson says Mikel Arteta does not trust every Arsenal player
Mikel Arteta is absolutely adored by his players at Arsenal.
When any player is asked about their boss, they shower him with praise. Declan Rice has repeatedly hailed Arteta since he joined the club, while Bukayo Saka did the same after signing his contract.
That shows incredible unity, but Merson believes Arteta should keep his faith in players when they make mistakes, instead of taking them out of the side.
He said on Sky Sports: “We said at the start of the season, when Eze got bought, he was the X Factor.
“He was the one who was going to get them over the line, and I still think that could be the case, as long as he plays and Arteta trusts him.”
When asked if the manager trusts Eze, Merson replied: “No, I don’t think he trusts a lot of people. I think Arteta plays on sparks, where he’ll watch someone, they’ll do something wrong, and then ‘you’re out of the team’.
“I’ve seen it with Calafiori not long ago. He had a nightmare game, got ripped off, and doesn’t play again. Eze gets caught on the far post against Cash at Villa and doesn’t really play again.
“You’ve got to give them a chance. Trust in them more, these players. I don’t think he does that enough, in my opinion.”
Do you think there are any Arsenal players whom Mikel Arteta does not trust? If so, who?
Key Mikel Arteta decision shows Paul Merson is wrong
Arteta did drop Eze from his side for a few games, and the general feeling is that his mistake against Aston Villa is the reason why.
However, it’s important to remember that the former Crystal Palace man wasn’t offering much in attack in those games either.
Irrespective of that, Arteta proved that he fully trusts Eze by starting him in the North London Derby against Tottenham last weekend.
It was a must-win game for Arsenal after dropping points against Brentford and Wolves, and the Spaniard could’ve easily preferred someone else.
Yet, he showed courage to start Eze, and he delivered.
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