Arsenal fans are really not happy with Mikel Arteta after the Gunners dropped points against Nottingham Forest.
Just as they did last week, Arsenal had the chance to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League table, and partly failed.
Though two points were collected in the draws against Liverpool and Nottingham Forest, it could’ve been six, which could’ve put Manchester City almost out of sight.
Instead, the gap stays at seven points, which isn’t bad by any means, but what is a concern is the performance levels, making it clear that change is needed.
Who was Arsenal’s most disappointing player vs Nottingham Forest?
Eberechi Eze proved that he deserves a chance with Nottingham Forest cameo
Arsenal felt as though they should’ve had a penalty against Forest, which would’ve won them the game.
That in itself is concerning, as it would’ve taken a penalty kick to beat Forest, who sit 17th in the table.
Arteta is taking a lot of heat after the draw, with one debated topic being team selection, something that has to change.
Despite Martin Odegaard’s poor performance against Chelsea, the Arsenal manager selected his captain over Eberechi Eze, which proved to be a mistake.
Odegaard was awful against Forest, and now, his time in the starting XI could end, particularly as Eze answered Arteta’s demand at The City Ground.
In his 11 minutes on the pitch, Eze showed his strength in midfield battles, winning 100% of his tackles and 100% of the duels he contested, as per Sofascore.
By contrast, Odegaard won 50% of his duels and did not attempt a single tackle.
Though the attacking was still stale from both attacking midfielders, what Eze did defensively should’ve won Arteta over, as he showed a level of strength that his teammate certainly did not.
Arsenal’s attack is at its best when Eze starts
Duel winning is essential, but it’s not what fans are screaming out for right now, that would be the tediousness of Arsenal’s attack.
Arsenal’s forwards need to become more ruthless, something Eze has shown he can impact.
Agree or disagree, Mikel Arteta will show a weakness if he doesn’t drop Martin Odegaard for Eberechi Eze
It’s been a while since the Gunners truly satisfied fans going forward, but when drawing out three of the best attacking performances this season, a trend appears.
Tottenham, Atletico Madrid and Bayern Munich at home, three games that Eze started.
They were three games that had fans off their seats in awe of an array of attacking sequences, a sensation that feels so long ago now.
Eze doesn’t have every answer, but he’s shown a level of positivity and fearlessness that outweighs control, which is what Arsenal desperately need right now.
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