Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has been tipped to bench a big-name player in a bid to help the star rediscover his very best form, despite his crucial contribution during their dramatic 2-1 win over Newcastle at St. James’ Park.
Arsenal boosted by William Saliba deal as they prepare for Olympiacos
It’s been an excellent last few days for Arsenal, with Arteta buoyed by the club’s new contract for star defender William Saliba as they gear up to take on Greek heavyweights Olympiacos in the Champions League.
Saliba rejected widely reported interest from Real Madrid to commit his future to the north Londoners, penning a new deal until 2030, and it is believed that star winger Bukayo Saka could soon follow suit by signing an extension of his own.
“William is loved by all the players and staff, and that speaks volumes about his character, commitment and attitude every day,” Arteta said about Saliba.
“Since joining us, William has grown so much, embraced responsibility, and has created a strong connection with our supporters and everyone at the club.
“We know there is still so much to come from him and will continue to work together to keep improving with the clear ambition of winning major trophies.”
This follows what turned out to be a vital victory at Newcastle, which was very nearly more dropped points in the Premier League title race, if not for a last-gasp header from Gabriel to clinch all three points for Arteta’s side.
In a season where Liverpool have stolen all the headlines for their late-show goals so far, it was refreshing for Gunners supporters to see their side battle with grit and determination to the last second, while Arne Slot’s men found themselves on the receiving end against Crystal Palace.
The gap at the top of the table is now closed to just two points as Arteta braces for yet another cinematic title challenge, and he’ll need every single man at their very best if Arsenal are to finally stop being the ‘nearly men’.
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Arsenal’s next Premier League fixtures |
Date |
|---|---|
|
West Ham United (home) |
October 4 |
|
Fulham (away) |
October 18 |
|
Crystal Palace (home) |
October 26 |
|
Burnley (away) |
November 1 |
|
Sunderland (away) |
November 8 |
Club captain Martin Odegaard, having just returned from a shoulder problem, came off the bench to provide an assist for Gabriel to head home his winner from a corner.
However, pundit Perry Groves suggests that the Norwegian should stay out of the starting eleven, at least for the time being.
Perry Groves tips Mikel Arteta to bench Martin Odegaard for Arsenal
Speaking to The Metro Groves says that the £240,000-per-week attacker “hasn’t been himself” due to injuries, and a spell on the substitute’s bench could kickstart a comeback from Odegaard to his very best form.
“Eze’s inclusion was spot on – a lot of Arsenal fans have been asking for that,” Groves said.
“Normally, it’s a 4-1-4-1 with Zubimendi a little bit deeper, but it went into a 4-2-3-1 with Declan Rice a little bit deeper with Eze in the 10, and it worked great.
“You’re looking at big players to affect big games and I thought as Eze did, especially in the first half, when, without exaggeration, we could have been two or three up in the first half an hour, 35 minutes.
“Not through a lack of effort but he [Odegaard] hasn’t been himself because of injuries.
“He hasn’t been his free-flowing creative self, but what happens now is Eze comes in, and when you’re at a massive club, you have to lift your own personal performance, and that will spur Odegaard on.
“If you look at Sunday when Odegaard came on, he got straight into the pace of the game, and he ends up obviously getting the assist for the goal with a brilliant delivery from the corner.
“So I think what happens with the top players is being on the bench inspires you to reach another level.”
Eberechi Eze’s arrival, combined with highly-rated youngsters like Max Dowman and Ethan Nwaneri sniffing for places in the first team, will undoubtedly have Odegaard looking over his shoulder.
Through no fault of his own, the former Real Madrid prospect has found himself on the sidelines for longer periods than he’d have liked, and this contributed to his lesser goal involvement last season.
Odegaard totalled 22 goal contributions in 22/23 and 23 goal involvements the season after, but didn’t quite get up to that tally last term despite some good form late on in the campaign.
Arsenal’s heightened competition for places means that the 26-year-old may no longer be considered undroppable, as a host of bright attacking stars, including super subs Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard, battle for a place in Arteta’s first team.
