Arsenal’s week turned from bad to worse after our disappointing defeat against Aston Villa. That’s now no wins in two games, and we have dropped out of the top half of the league table as a result.
Mikel Arteta will be frustrated with how things have gone on in our last two games. We were extremely unlucky to not get the win against Wolves, but we only have ourselves to blame for what happened at Villa Park.
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BBC Pundit Garth Crooks has had his say about Arsenal’s latest defeat. He has criticised Arteta’s decision to leave Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang out of the side in favour of Nicolas Pepe, which really is a surprise.
He told BBC Sport: “Aston Villa were run ragged by West Ham in midweek but recovered well against an Arsenal side who lacked cutting edge.
“I know Nicolas Pepe scored against Wolves last week but can Arsenal really afford to leave someone of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s class on the bench? I don’t think so!
“Having got his team back on track with some decent results, Mikel Arteta’s meddling again.”
Was Arteta wrong to leave Auba out?
On paper, you’d always want Aubameyang to start. The Gabon star is one of the best strikers in the world and his record at Arsenal before the start of this seasons shows just how important he is to our side.
However. Auba has been through a tough period – both on and off the pitch. He doesn’t need the added pressure on his shoulders at this moment in time and more more importantly, Pepe has been brilliant on the left-flank.
The Ivorian is having his best period in an Arsenal shirt. He has really stepped it up on the left and as Arteta said before the game at Villa Park, whoever is in the best form will play. (Read here)
Clearly, it’s Pepe who wins that debate and Arteta was right to stick by him even though Auba was fit and available.
