Ex-Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy has claimed Mikel Arteta does not know his preferred lineup to pile more pressure on the Arsenal manager.
Mikel Arteta continues to receive criticism after a horrendous start to the season. Arsenal have lost all three games in the Premier League, resulting in the worst start to a league campaign. However, after the international break, the manager hopes to bounce back when the Gunners face fellow strugglers in Norwich City.
An opening day surprise loss to Brentford was followed by humbling defeats at the hands of Chelsea and Manchester City. Without scoring a goal so far and conceding nine in the process, the Gunners find themselves at the very bottom of the league table, a position they have never been before in the longest of times.
However, many factors could have led to the club having such difficult performances. First up, Arsenal have been hit with Covid, unlike any other club, with key players missing each of their last three games. The injuries to Thomas Partey and Gabriel has also affected them badly.
Key forwards Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette were also missing from the first two games due to Covid. The Arsenal captain did play a small part from the bench against Chelsea but wasn’t fully up to speed. Despite those problems, critics have continued to pile up pressure on Arteta, with former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy the latest to contribute to the cause.
? “Edu’s interview was okay. Some of it was predictable but at least he fronted up.”
? “I think the concerns for #AFC fans was when they lost belief last season.”
? “I’m not suggesting he’s clueless but Arteta doesn’t know Arsenal’s best XI!”
Danny Murphy talks Arsenal. ? pic.twitter.com/hSNDfoXILE
— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) September 6, 2021
Murphy was on TalkSport, speaking many things about Arsenal. The ex-Liverpool ace insists Arteta does not have a clear plan on who plays in his preferred starting lineup and that the manager is still short on finalising his tactics and style for the club. The Express posted comments from former midfielder Murphy about the Gunners’ manager.
Murphy said, “I know he works hard, and I know he is trying to improve the players, and I am not saying he is clueless, but he does not seem like he has really nailed down what he is trying to do or what his first eleven is.
“Last season, at times, it looked like Arteta was f about what his best eleven was and what tactical plan he was going to have. This patience he wants the fans to have and this plan he has is all well and good if you can see some progression in what they are trying to do.”
While the performances under Arteta this season have not been up to scratch, the manager is backed to regain form and bounce back soon. However, the next 7-8 games are relatively easy fixtures compared to the previous three, and performances in these games will determine where he stands with his future at Arsenal.
