Arsenal’s Thomas Partey, Declan Rice and Mikel Arteta (Photo by Mike Hewitt, Warren Little/Getty Images)
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has come in for some criticism for choosing an uninspiring midfield in the 2-0 defeat by Bournemouth at the weekend.
Speaking exclusively to Caught offside for the latest edition of his Daily Briefing column, Arsenal pundit Charles Watts admitted he was surprised by Arteta’s selection in this area, although the Spanish tactician had the obvious problem of Martin Odegaard is injured.
Arsenal lined up with Declan Rice, Thomas Partey and Mikel Merino in midfield, but Watts admits he immediately felt it looked like a trio that would struggle to offer much as an attacking threat, and that’s exactly what it was.
While that’s a big ask for a relatively unproven young player, Ethan Nwaneri might be a better choice in the coming games as he is more of a natural replacement for Odegaard in terms of his qualities and style of play.
Watts clearly has a lot of faith that Nwaneri could do the job, so could Arteta take that bet after his use of Rice, Partey and Merino clearly failed?
Arsenal midfield under fire: Ethan Nwaneri time?
“It was a really bad night for Arsenal and I don’t think the team selection helped,” Watts said as he reacted to the Bournemouth defeat.
“I was really surprised that Arteta went with the three of Declan Rice, Thomas Partey and Mikel Merino in midfield. It always looked like a midfield he would struggle to create and that’s how it played out.
“With No Martin Odegaard or Bukayo Saka and with Gabriel Martinelli only starting on the bench, I would have liked to see Ethan Nwaneri start just to give the team a bit more creativity and attacking intent in those central areas.”
Nwaneri has had a few first-team starts this season and looks like a great prospect, but it remains to be seen whether he is ready to start games regularly and take on the huge challenge of replacing a world-class creative midfielder like Odegaard.
