An experienced Arsenal player has advised Mikel Arteta to let go of a specific underperforming player, who, notably, only completed six passes against Spurs and had fewer touches than the goalkeeper.
Despite a draw with Spurs, Arsenal lacked their usual spark in the final third.
In the Champions League clash with PSV, Arsenal seemed to regain their dominant form, but that wasn’t quite the case during the first 30 minutes of the north London derby on Sunday.
They pressed ferociously, putting Spurs on the defensive, yet Bukayo Saka’s goal and a Cristian Romero deflection weren’t enough to secure a win.
Captain Martin Odegaard, despite a brilliant Champions League display, struggled in this game, completing just 18 passes with a success rate of 64%.
The halftime replacement for the injured Declan Rice, Jorginho, faced a notorious moment when he lost the ball to James Maddison, leading to Tottenham’s second goal.
Among the noteworthy disappointments in the match was Eddie Nketiah, who has been assisting Gabriel Jesus through 2023.
Nketiah showcased promise when Jesus was injured, but his performance declined upon Jesus’ return to full health. Despite being substituted against Everton, he was given significant time in this match.
The situation surrounding Nketiah’s performance is intriguing, especially considering Jesus’ return to the left side after Trossard’s injury.
Nketiah led the line but delivered a modest performance, prompting his substitution in the second half, while Jesus played the entire 100-minute game.
The first half of Nketiah’s match was particularly frustrating, with a missed opportunity to score due to a defensive error. Overall, Nketiah’s performance raised questions and concerns, making him a topic of discussion among Arsenal veterans.
