Arsenal picked up a comprehensive 4-0 win over Bournemouth in their last Premier League outing, but Mikel Arteta has come under criticism.
Perry Groves, a presenter on talkSPORT, has slammed Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta for his substitutions during the game.
Groves believes that Arteta should have been more mindful of his players, and he should have taken off some of the key players when his side were cruising at 3-0 up. Arsenal have a number of injury problems, and some of their first-team players are carrying knocks as well. The Gunners cannot afford to risk them, especially when they do not need to.
:You go 3-0 up and away from home, and supposedly you’ve got three or four players carrying injuries. Then Saka, Jesus, Saliba, I think the ones who were rumoured to be carrying injury, just get them off the pitch, the game’s won,” Groves said.
“Get them off the pitch. Saka then goes in for a block tackle and then it’s the same injury as before, but he shouldn’t have been on the pitch, and all Arsenal fans are thinking why. I know he didn’t want to come off. But you say I don’t care if you want to come off or not.”
🔁 “After you go 3-0 up, get those players off who’re carrying injuries.”
🤷♂️ “Saka, Saliba… get them off. Arsenal fans were just thinking ‘why?’”
Perry Groves was left baffled by Mikel Arteta not subbing certain players earlier pic.twitter.com/bBbKiXIK32
— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) October 1, 2023
Arsenal had a comfortable lead against mouth, and they were always going to win the game. Players like Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus, and William Saliba were left on the pitch, and Groves believes that Arteta should have protected them better. Injury issues detailed Arsenal’s title race last season and Arteta needs to learn from that experience and not repeat his mistakes.
Arsenal have a talented squad at their disposal, but they do not have sufficient depth compared to clubs like Manchester City. They will need to shuffle the squad wisely in order to keep the players fresh and fit.
Groves’s suggestions will also be echoed by Arsenal supporters, who will want the manager to protect the players going forward. The likes of Saka have been outstanding in the Premier League this season and Arsenal cannot afford to lose them for an extended period. The Gunners will be hoping to challenge for the league title this season, and it remains to be seen whether they can go all the way this time.
Meanwhile, Arteta has done a phenomenal coaching job at Arsenal since taking over. But he is still a very young manager who is learning on the job. If he can rectify these mistakes in the coming months, he has all the attributes to develop into a world-class manager for Arsenal.
