Viktor Gyokeres and £54.5m Arsenal duo – Three players Mikel Arteta must axe vs Tottenham
Mikel Arteta must make some serious changes against Tottenham if Arsenal are to continue leading the Premier League title race this season.
The Gunners slipped up to Wolves in dramatic style on Wednesday, 18 February, throwing away a two-goal lead at Molineux Stadium, giving Man City the chance to close the gap.
Pep Guardiola‘s side are set to take on Newcastle United, and with the two sides yet to meet at the Etihad Stadium, many believe that the title is now City’s to lose once again.
Of course, Aston Villa are just three points behind second place as well, so Unai Emery’s team cannot be completely ruled out, but it is the usual suspects who are favourites to battle it out until May.
Arteta‘s side were coasting in the second half against Wolves, which was completely unacceptable, but players can put things right by squashing their bitter rivals in the North London derby on Sunday, 22 February.
Viktor Gyokeres
The less said about Viktor Gyokeres, the better. Arsenal supporters have been unconvinced by the big striker signing, and he was exposed once again at Molineux.
Being hooked after just 65 minutes, the 27-year-old managed just 12 touches, completing just five passes, failing to get a single shot off, and not even entering into a single duel [FotMob].
With Gabriel Jesus ready for minutes, he should be trusted to lead the line against a struggling Spurs side.
Gabriel Martinelli
Gabriel Martinelli‘s good performances come in little bursts, and while he did create some chances against Wolves, he lost the most duels of anyone on the pitch [FotMob] – 14.
That kind of work ethic against a team that could experience a new manager bounce will absolutely not cut it, especially for a North London derby, with the Premier League title resting on the result.
Leandro Trossard’s availability is unknown, so a rare start for Eberechi Eze might make sense, especially given his hat-trick heroics last time out. But he may have to feature on the left wing in place of the £6million Brazilian.
Noni Madueke
The good news for Arsenal fans is that Bukayo Saka is likely to be available despite coming off injured against Wolves, and he should be the one to replace Noni Madueke on the right flank.
Madueke, who cost the Gunners £48.5million [BBC Sport], was wasteful on the road, getting himself hooked after just 65 minutes, just moments after Wolves scored their first goal.
Saka’s move over to the right would make room for the experienced Martin Odegaard, and that is exactly what Arteta needs to get another one over their North London rivals.