Arteta should drop 5/10 Arsenal star who misplaced the ball each 4 passes

Arsenal have been to Outdated Trafford, to Anfield and to St James’ Park this season. Mikel Arteta‘s males have confronted Manchester Metropolis and Atletico Madrid at residence but it surely was a newly promoted facet who gave them their hardest check but.

The Gunners headed to Sunderland and the Stadium of Mild on Saturday. Spurred on by former Arsenal captain, Granit Xhaka, the Londoners conceded for the primary time in over eight matches.

The top end result? A 2-2 draw and simply the third time all marketing campaign that Arteta’s facet had dropped factors.

Arsenal weren’t on the races, removed from it, though their second-half dominance ought to have been sufficient to see them throughout the road. Throughout these 45 minutes, two gamers actually stood up for the guests.

Arsenal’s finest performers vs Sunderland

This was not the best of evenings for a bunch of Arsenal’s normally ever-reliable performers. It is uncommon they do not defend effectively however beneath stress from a buoyant Sunderland crowd, they wilted a bit within the north east on Saturday.

Gabriel and David Raya, two stalwarts of the present squad, had been at fault for Brian Brobbey’s late purpose.

Dan Ballard had scored a rasping opener within the first half however way more might have been completed concerning the late equaliser. Gabriel wasn’t robust sufficient in his makes an attempt to beat Brobbey to the ball and Raya did not appear to know the Black Cats striker was even within the body. Each got here for the ball however had been crushed by the Sunderland centre-forward. Cue bedlam contained in the Stadium of Mild.

Earlier than that, nonetheless, Arsenal had responded remarkably effectively to Arteta’s half-time staff discuss. Their domination within the second interval proved that they’re no mugs from open play. There have been no set-play objectives on this event, simply two brilliantly labored strikes.

Bukayo Saka has struggled with damage and kind this time period however he is nonetheless their essential man and proved as such this weekend.

Saka’s second-half show was inspiring and a real captain’s efficiency. It was the winger who bought Arsenal again into issues, darting onto Mikel Merino’s ball earlier than firing previous Robin Roefs together with his weaker foot. It was an exceptional end.

Talking of world-class finishes. Step ahead Leandro Trossard.

The Belgian ended final season together with his Emirates Stadium future doubtful. The membership knew they wanted to bolster the assault and it was probably the winger could be moved on because of this.

Nonetheless, there’s a purpose that he is featured greater than different participant beneath Arteta since he arrived from Brighton in January 2023.

Handed a pay rise over the summer season to remain, he has undeniably been Arsenal’s finest attacker this season and has taken benefit of a plethora of accidents throughout the entrance line, notably to the likes of fellow wingers Gabriel Martinelli and Noni Madueke.

Throughout the 30-year-old’s final seven video games in all competitions, he has scored three objectives and registered two assists. Not dangerous certainly.

His purpose at Sunderland was maybe his finest in Arsenal colors but. The winger obtained the ball from Martin Zubimendi about 25 yards from purpose. He superior slightly bit in the direction of the sting of the penalty space earlier than shifting the ball away from Mackems midfielder Noah Sadiki and unleashing a fizzing effort that crashed residence. It was classic Trossard. It was the Belgian at his very highest.

Whereas Arsenal’s assault got here alive, query marks do must be raised concerning the defensive efforts. Maybe it is time for slightly change within the beginning lineup.

The place Arsenal can enhance after Sunderland

Whereas Arteta will not wish to rip up the blueprints in a single day, there are just a few modifications the Spaniard should make for the north London derby in a few weeks.

By then, Viktor Gyokeres could possibly be again to full well being, whereas Gabriel Jesus was noticed in first-team coaching for the primary time after his horrific ACL damage again in January. Whereas the Brazilian will not be beginning video games simply but, Gyokeres is predicted to swiftly change Merino regardless of his brace within the Champions League in midweek.

Merino did register the help for Saka’s purpose on Saturday however he is not fairly pretty much as good at main the press, one thing that performs an crucial position in how Arsenal defend.

There could possibly be a change simply behind the striker too. In spite of everything, Eberechi Eze actually struggled this weekend, with GOAL famous that he was withdrawn late on after “a subdued show”.

However, it is at left-back as soon as once more the place a place could possibly be up for grabs. Earlier within the marketing campaign, Riccardo Calafiori was described by some as Arsenal’s “participant of the season” thus far. It was exhausting to disagree with that too.

The Italian had began the marketing campaign in sensible kind, scoring an important purpose in opposition to Manchester United on the opening weekend and registering two assists within the 5-0 win over Leeds.

Most significantly, Calafiori has spent the early months of the season injury-free. It is his finest run of recreation time since he moved to the membership in the summertime of 2024.

But, each participant has their dips and the Italy worldwide is arguably having his now. Whereas he did not make any colossal errors on Saturday, it was a irritating efficiency from the 23-year-old.

Soccer.London reporter Tom Canton wrote at full-time that he was ‘considerably erratic within the first half, however not within the regular manner.’

Certainly, since becoming a member of the membership, he has resembled one thing of a “wild horse” within the phrases of journalist Sam Dean. He is in all places, whether or not it was rampaging ahead, inverting into midfield or showing as an additional striker contained in the field throughout attacking phases of play.

Sadly, his influence in opposition to Sunderland was not as nice. He didn’t have a shot or make a key go, whereas that aforementioned erratic nature was summed up by the truth that he made a whopping 5 fouls.

Calafiori alarmingly additionally solely gained two of his six duels to compound what was a irritating night time on the workplace.

So, forward of the north London derby in a few weeks, Arteta has a call to make. Whereas new signing Piero Hincapie bought the nod on the left of the defence in Prague in midweek, maybe that is the time for Myles Lewis-Skelly to begin for the primary time within the Premier League this season.

The gifted teenager has solely performed 86 minutes within the prime flight this season and was subsequently excluded from Thomas Tuchel’s England squad for the newest spherical of worldwide fixtures.

That wasn’t as a result of Lewis-Skelly is a nasty participant, removed from it. The complete-back issued a reminder of his qualities in opposition to Atletico within the Champions League just a few weeks in the past.

Keep in mind the rampaging run by the center of the pitch to provide Martinelli’s purpose?

Whereas it was Calafiori’s defensive show that allow him down on Saturday, Lewis-Skelly might give Arteta’s facet much more in possession. His temperament and ball-carrying expertise could possibly be key in opposition to Spurs.