Mikel Arteta’s tactical decisions have come under the microscope following a number of surprise selections in Arsenal’s opening three games.
Gabriel Magalhaes has been benched for all three matches, with midfielder Thomas Partey at right-back, and the Gunners drew at home to Fulham in their last game.
Speaking on TalkSPORT, fomer Spurs striker, but Arsenal supporter Darren Bent claimed that Arteta has to take some of the blame over performances and results given his surprising selection decisions.
“He’s got to take some of the blame here, his team selection at times, what he’s trying to do?” He stated.
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“Like the Gabriel situation doesn’t make sense, play him, play Zinchenko, Gabriel, Saliba, Ben White at right back.
“All this playing Thomas Partey at right back to accommodate Kai Havertz in midfield – listen if Kai Havertz plays for Arsenal, we have to support him, but it’s not worked for him, and it’s almost unbalancing the whole side to try and get one player to fit into his system.”
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Should Arteta change his system?
Given that Arsenal have dominated possession in all three of their games, as well as creating numerous chances to score, whilst also only conceding off individual errors, it is a stretch to say this system has not worked.
However, for the next game at least, Arteta should consider going back to last season’s winning formular. Now Zinchenko is fit again, everyone can move back to their more familiar roles, whilst Havertz, who has been fairly disappointing in his opening three games, could drop to the bench.
White can return to the right to help support Bukayo Saka, Gabriel can return to the lineup, Partey and Rice can play together to win the midfield battle against Manchester United and if Arsenal can find their fluidity in this system, they will stand a strong chance of a big victory against their heated rivals.