Arsenal should axe 3/10 star who’s so “clunky”

Arsenal could have spent close to £300m as soon as the summer season switch window ends at 7pm on Monday night. Nonetheless, the Gunners’ luxurious new squad was not sufficient to fend off one other of the market’s huge spenders, Liverpool.

Fact be advised, Arne Slot’s facet have been there for the taking. Mikel Arteta‘s males loved extra of the ball within the first half and regarded threatening, however couldn’t make their benefit inform.

Ultimately, they have been undone by a second of magic. Arsenal performed with the handbrake on and the Reds made them pay.

Final season you could nicely bear in mind Declan Rice’s gorgeous free-kicks towards Actual Madrid. It is arduous to neglect them. Properly, Rice eat your coronary heart out.

Dominic Szoboszlai stepped up and struck a fantastic free-kick over the ball and previous David Raya with not lengthy left on the clock.

What went improper for Arsenal at Anfield

After profitable on the Premier League‘s opening weekend towards Manchester United, a lot was manufactured from Arsenal’s unbeaten run towards the massive groups.

Certainly, because the north Londoners headed to Merseyside on Sunday, they did so having not misplaced their final 22 video games towards the division’s conventional huge six; Manchester Metropolis, Liverpool, Man United, Spurs and Chelsea.

Properly, that report got here to an finish in disappointing style this weekend as Arsenal reasonably misplaced with a whimper.

The tone was set within the opening exchanges. William Saliba went down off the ball and went off, changed by Cristhian Mosquera. To his credit score, the summer season signing did nicely, profitable 4 of his 5 duels, based on Sofascore.

The efficiency stemmed from Arsenal’s assault. Whereas Arteta could have a implausible report towards the largest sides in English soccer, it is turning into an everyday incidence now that they battle to get out of second gear.

Barring the annihilation towards Manchester Metropolis final season, very hardly ever have the Gunners managed to romp to victory.

Excusing that Metropolis recreation, it is 11 matches since Arsenal scored greater than twice in these ‘big-six’ fixtures. Truthful sufficient towards one of the best sides within the land, nevertheless it speaks volumes of a workforce who aren’t given a lot inventive freedom or license.

Viktor Gyokeres, like he did towards Manchester United, regarded remoted up prime and was devoid of a lot service. That is hardly a shock contemplating Arsenal began Ethan Nwaneri, Martin Odegaard and Eberechi Eze on the bench. Additionally with out Bukayo Saka, this one was at all times going to be a little bit of a battle.

Mikel Merino was chosen within the Odegaard function however regardless of scoring twice towards Liverpool in 2024/25, he did not actually flip up on this event, finishing simply 77% of his passes.

To his credit score, Noni Madueke was most likely one of the best participant for the guests. Handed a possibility in his favoured function on the right-hand facet, he usually regarded to make issues occur.

He had three pictures, probably the most of any Arsenal participant and accomplished his one and solely dribble. It is a pity his companion on the other facet of the pitch failed to indicate the identical vigour.

The foundation of Arsenal’s issues in assault

For the overwhelming majority of this summer season window, Arsenal supporters have had two cravings. One was for the membership to signal a brand new striker and so they did so by welcoming Gyokeres to the Emirates Stadium.

The opposite want was to see Andrea Berta signal a left winger. He is semi-done that, welcoming Madueke and Eze into the fold.

It was Madueke who began on the left towards Leeds United final week and it was Eze who completed Sunday’s conflict in that function, substituted on with 20 minutes to go. The brand new signing was vibrant, definitely extra so than the person he changed, Gabriel Martinelli.

The Brazilian is a puzzling expertise. In 2022/23, he completed because the membership’s joint-top scorer, registering 15 targets.

Since then, it has been an arduous few years for the huge participant who has struggled to copy that kind. His efficiency towards Liverpool showcased why he is turn out to be a little bit of a scapegoat in current instances.

Stuffed with tempo, Martinelli will at all times assure power, however his lack of incisiveness within the closing third utterly killed Arsenal within the first half.

There have been two moments specifically. One got here within the opening exchanges when he discovered the prospect to interrupt by way of the centre of the pitch. Gyokeres regarded to make two runs in behind however Martinelli did not get his head up. He ultimately ran down a blind alley into the penalty space and misplaced the ball having didn’t make up his thoughts over what to do with it.

The identical occurred barely later within the half when he determined to carry the ball up reasonably than get after Szoboszlai who was enjoying out of place at right-back.

It stated all of it that the Hungarian, even earlier than his showstopping aim, was heading in the right direction to win the person of the match award.

Martinelli solely lasted 70 minutes however he actually ought to have been hooked sooner, having didn’t have a single shot, handle one dribble or create a key cross.

It was a extremely poor afternoon for the Brazil worldwide who left the pitch after amassing simply 15 touches, 40 fewer than goalkeeper David Raya.

As Arsenal podcaster and author Phil Costa famous in the course of the 90 minutes, he is “so clunky and indecisive.” Is it any surprise the Gunners have moved to safe the providers of Eze and Madueke this summer season?

On this proof, Martinelli ought to discover himself again on the bench after the worldwide break. Eze merely has to start out after they face Nottingham Forest in two weeks.