Arteta should drop 3/10 Arsenal star after Man Metropolis

On Saturday night two heavyweight gladiators met within the type of Daniel Dubois and Anthony Joshua. Practically 200 miles north on Sunday, two heavyweights met once more, this time on the Etihad Stadium as Arsenal took on title rivals Manchester Metropolis.

Kai Havertz could have despatched Rodri sprawling to the canvas like AJ after simply 5 seconds on the clock however there was no knockout blow yesterday.

As a substitute, Metropolis and Arsenal shared the spoils from a contest that couldn’t have been extra one-sided in the event that they tried.

It was a peculiar match. The inevitable Erling Haaland struck the primary blow and for a time frame it appeared as if Pep Guardiola’s males, as Dubois had achieved 18 hours or so prior, had been going to win the combat.

But, Mikel Arteta’s aspect fought again by way of two defenders; Ricciardo Calafiori and Gabriel Magalhaes, earlier than Leandro Trossard’s silly pink card condemned his teammates to a second half of parking the bus.

Arsenal did so sensationally nicely till John Stones popped up with a matter of moments left to rescue a 2-2 draw for his group.

So, in a sport of unbelievable highs and unbelievable lows, it was Trossard or Michael Oliver relying in your persuasion who was accountable.

Trossard’s efficiency vs Man Metropolis

Since signing from Brighton in a discount £27m deal again in January 2023, the Belgian has been a pressure for the Gunners.

Solely Bukayo Saka scored greater than Trossard’s haul of 17 in all completions for Arsenal final season and after discovering the online in opposition to Aston Villa in match week two, it appeared as if he was set one other charming 12 months in entrance of objective.

Nicely, maybe let’s suppose once more, we could? The winger has been hit and miss this season and you may hardly blame a component of ineffectiveness over his previous few matches. Taking part in out of place in a extra central position within the absence of injured Martin Odegaard, it’s not been a triumphant time.

The Belgium worldwide was fairly nameless in opposition to the Lilywhites final week and was simply as poor, if not worse, on the Etihad on Sunday.

He spurned an excellent first-half probability after assembly Gabriel Martinelli’s cutback after which got here a second of insanity.

Only a matter of weeks in the past he had seen teammate Declan Rice despatched off for ‘delaying the restart’ and the identical eventuality fell Trossard’s manner this weekend, heaving the ball ahead regardless of Oliver having already blown his whistle for a free-kick.

The referee whipped out a yellow card and because it was a second warning swiftly handed him a pink for his troubles. Like Rice, he’d been made to pay the value for kicking the ball away. This time there may very well be no excuse..

It wasn’t as if he was having a very nice afternoon earlier than that, failing to win any of his particular person duels and unsurprisingly boasting fewer touches (11) than goalkeeper David Raya (52).

So, what occurs subsequent? Nicely, Trossard is now suspended for the League Cup tie with Bolton Wanderers in midweek.

He’s again for the match with Leicester subsequent weekend however shouldn’t preserve his place following a show that GOAL reporter Charles Watts prompt warranted a dismal 3/10 match ranking.

Trossard’s finest alternative

With Odegaard nonetheless nursing his ankle damage then the conflict with each Bolton in just a few days time and the Premier League fixture with Leicester subsequent weekend represents the best probability to provide Ethan Nwaneri his first senior begin for the membership.

Showing aged 15 within the Premier League, coming off the bench in opposition to Brentford in 2022, he’s now 17 and broadly considered one of many hottest younger abilities within the nation.

A fleeting four-minute substitute show within the north London derby are all of the minutes he’s performed in 2024/25 however there may be certainly no higher time to lastly combine him and unleash the younger Englishman than over the membership’s subsequent two fixtures.

So, why is Nwaneri such a promising younger participant? Nicely, he possesses that uncommon reward of constructing one thing occur out of nothing. For these of an Arsenal persuasion, let’s name it the Odegaard gene.

Able to unlocking a defence by merely discovering the online himself or by weaving his magic to pick a teammate, {the teenager} seemingly has all of it and is able to take the Premier League by storm.

The Odegaard position is ideal for him, taking part in off the fitting aspect however occupying central areas that helped him obtain one of the best a part of 18 objectives and 4 assists in youth motion final time period.

It could be too far to say that is now or by no means for Nwaneri however it’s important for him to get a footing and really feel for the Premier League frequently now.

Hailed as an “excellent inner resolution” by analyst Ben Mattinson, that’s exactly what he may show to be as Arsenal look to unravel not simply Trossard’s pink card however their gutting Odegaard blow.

Towards the newly promoted Leicester, the England youth worldwide may lastly earn an opportunity to impress. He definitely deserves to after their Belgian’s second of insanity on Sunday.