Forget Havertz, Mikel Arteta made huge Arsenal mistake by leaving out one star vs Man United

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Arsenal are left pondering what could’ve been again, with the side knocked out of the FA Cup by Manchester United.

Despite dominating the match at the Emirates Stadium, it was a familiar tale of missed opportunities and the lack of a clinical edge that cost them.

In the end, Arsenal’s defeat to Manchester United was something of a microcosm for their past few weeks as pressure builds on Mikel Arteta to win silverware.

There was plenty of blame placed at the feet of Kai Havertz, following a difficult performance from the forward.

The German international missed some key chances, including the penalty that sent Arsenal out in the shootout.

However, there was one error from Arteta in his Arsenal team that didn’t exactly help Havertz or his teammates in the FA Cup clash.

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Mikel Arteta made error in leaving out Declan Rice in Arsenal vs Man United

One key decision that Arteta made was dropping Declan Rice, with the midfielder starting the game on the bench.

The England international has been suffering from small injury issues, so the move must’ve been one to protect him ahead of the North London Derby.

That may have been more costly than first hoped though, not least from a set-piece perspective during the match.

Rice’s corners have been pinpoint throughout the season, causing chaos at every available avenue for the opposition.

Without him or the injured Bukayo Saka, Arsenal presented much less threat from their corner opportunities with Martin Odegaard taking them.

While the Gunners did eventually score from a free-kick, it was more about the second phase than the delivery in the first phase that created the opportunity.

In all, it made Arsenal look more blunt from set-pieces, while opportunities were being missed everywhere from open-play and penalty chances.

If Rice had started, it may well have been a different story altogether.

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Martin Odegaard struggles highlight difficult Arsenal performance

It was an afternoon to forget for Odegaard, who struggled to impose his own game against Manchester United.

At times, it appeared as though the Norway international was able to cut through the opposition but his missed penalty proved costly in the game.

Add to that his corners that weren’t quite on the mark compared to his teammates and it underlines a difficult performance.

The Gunners will need their captain back and firing on all cylinders when they take on Tottenham next in the Premier League.

It’s a huge game in the context of the season and in terms of getting the side back on track once again.