Opinion

The two Arsenal stars who seriously let Mikel Arteta down despite 3-0 win vs Monaco

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Arsenal made significant progress in the Champions League by beating AS Monaco at the Emirates.

Matchday six was one to remember for Mikel Arteta as Arsenal brushed Monaco aside in a 3-0 win at home.

The Monaco win was a night to savour for Myles Lewis-Skelly, who played an integral role in the Gunners going ahead in the first half.

While the teenager dazzled, the fixture belonged to Bukayo Saka, who played a part in all three of the hosts’ goals, scoring twice and providing an assist.

Arsenal FC v AS Monaco - UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD6
Photo by Julian Finney – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images

Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli failed vs AS Monaco

While Arteta says Saka is surprising Arsenal coaches with his constant progression, the same can’t be said about others in the side.

It was yet another underwhelming outing for Gabriel Martinelli, who left a lot to be desired. 

Arteta’s issue is that even when the Brazilian was hooked, his replacement offered a similar output.

Gabriel MartinelliLeandro Trossard
Minutes 6426
Touches3223
Passes completed1610
Crosses01
Dribbles completed10
Key passes11
Dispossesed 78
Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard vs AS Monaco – Sofascore

Leandro Trossard was equally as ineffective on the left, as displayed by the duo’s numbers during Arsenal’s dominant victory.

It’s a concern for the Gunners considering that it’s become the ordinary to see the left side performing at a level lower than the right, with Martinelli criticised for his actions against Fulham only three days prior.

Arsenal have a problem on the left side

In Martinelli, Arteta is desperately trying to salvage the winger’s form from the 2022/23 campaign, using Trossard to bolster competition for game time.

Such doesn’t quite work when the player’s competitor is also performing below par, as Trossard’s goal-scoring frequency for Arsenal this term is far from desirable.

Becoming over-reliant on the right is inevitable as a result, seeing Saka consistently compensating for the weaknesses on the opposing flank.

Such is only temporarily sustainable due to the searing form of the 23-year-old but certainly won’t cut it in the title race or the later stages of the Champions League, sending Arteta a stern warning for the future.