Arsenal hoped to return to winning ways against Fulham, but they were defeated 2-1.
Mikel Arteta walked off the field, shaking his head after the game. His players may have let him down yet again by not being clinical, but he must also bear some of the blame.
I don’t know about you, but his starting lineup was wrong. He was intended to refresh his offensive by resting Gabriel Martinelli, but he chose to rest Gabriel Jesus instead. Gabriel Martinelli requires some downtime to recharge. He didn’t have much of an influence against Fulham; Arsenal had to overrely on Saka’s wing. Starting Emile Smith Rowe or Reiss Nelson on the left wing could have been impactful.
That said, there are some concerns about Arteta’s substitution calls.
Do you think it was a good idea for him to sub off Havertz? Given how the game was, the German was Arsenal’s sole option for targetman and spam crosses, but he was subbed off.
Leandro Trossard at left wing, where he has never had a successful game in recent times, is also an unwise move by Arteta; versus Fulham, Emile Smith Rowe should have been given a chance instead of Trossard.
However, subbing Tomiyasu for Kiwior at halftime was a wise decision. The Polish defender has yet to break into the Arsenal team, and I doubt he’ll ever play left back again.
Overall, we should trust Arteta; he is a genius, no doubt about it, but the Spaniard must act swiftly because Arsenal’s title hopes are dwindling.
Jack Anderson
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“spam crosses”?
Mikel the story man, living the movie.
One day, Martinelli would leave that club like Mane left Liverpool for being underappreciated. The guy never seems to delight pundits; no matter what he does. He assisted Saka for his goal and was lively as usual but anytime things are not going the Arsenal way, his head is first to chop off. Always. In that same match;
1. Saka was too wasteful in front of goal and over-blasted a sitter.
2. Failed to beat his man repeatedly.
3. Linked up poorly with fullbacks
4. Poorly conceded the ball which led to Fulham’s opener. No one seems to remember this!
5. He looked rusty and like a shadow of himself.
But he enjoyed 90 minutes as usual and everyone keep praising him at the end of the match because he is B. Saka; and scored an empty net (thanks to Martinelli’s effort).
Martinelli never enjoys solid fullbacks support when attacking. Saka enjoys that and Odeegard could see no other person and after receiving the ball. Zic often runs into the midfield and Kai is still learning the Arteta way. Return Xhaka and Tierney for Martinelli and his figures would skyrocket.
I have never said that Martinelli is as good or consistent as Saka, but once in a while, when things don’t go the Arsenal way, let’s learn to look for the real match scapegoats as no one offers what Martinelli offers to the team in terms of pace, dribbles, and skill-set. If you doubt me, sell him to Liverpool.
My thoughts exactly!
100%, you are right on the money. Play Nelson and ESR, these guys need a game time then you will see how they will impact our performance,s. Arteta,s selection baffles me at times.
Rubbish article. Last season the same fixture saw Martinelli do all the damage to Fulham in the first half and they went in 3-0 up at the break. Fulham are the reason Arsenal lost. They played better and defended better to hold their lead.
Can’t believe how being beaten by Fulham is such a surprise. They’re a good team on their day. Liverpool only just beat them at Anfield by scoring two or three wonder goals.
By the way when things move the way it is now Arteta looses control of the all setting,at times you see as to cry.
Please can you explain? Your input.
Harvatz is wasted money. He was the reason the midfield was porous. Lacked pace, exhibited poor decision making, lacked tactical awareness and kept giving away possession. Nketiah is not an answer to Jesus misfires. Saka assumed greater responsibility than necessary. He should learn to bring in other players to finish. I agree Martinell is off colour. Over to Arteta
The problem we get when an article gets a lot of things right, but then uses language SO INCORRECTLY , that the writer having expanded on his faults , then proceeds to claim MA is a “genius, no doubt about it”, is that it is impossible to respect or take seriously such a laughably wrong claim. Or the writer who made that claim.
He is actually a genius. It’s okay if you think otherwise though.
Havertz should not have played the match at Fulham. He was atrocious. Saka was poor too. Martin Eli was the only player as usual, who was pressing and running either balll at pace, towards the Fulham defense . It’s Martinelli cross into the box, that Saka fumbled in to score. Saka missed a few good chances because of his poor form. He blew one chance on his preferred left foot, miles off the mark. It’s not surprising, however, that when the English players flounder (White, Rice, Saka), the blame by some fans falls on Martinelli. The bias is so bad that even mentioning the goal Martinelli worked so hard to create, is hard to mention.