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'Negative mindset to go out and play cautiously'published at 09:45 BST 23 September
09:45 BST 23 September
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Former Premier League striker Chris Sutton says Arsenal played too cautiously against Manchester City and lost their creativity by benching Eberechi Eze.
"It's a negative mindset to go out and play cautiously," said Sutton on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club. "I don't think there was any need for Mikel Arteta to do that against this Manchester City team.
"I'm not saying that the players are too good to play with fear, but I do wonder why he didn't pick Eze. He is arguably their most creative player.
"Why did Leandro Trossard start? It was his first start of the season. I know he scored in Bilbao after coming on from the bench, but I don't get it."
Gossip: Real Madrid interested in Saliba published at 06:56 BST 23 September
06:56 BST 23 September
Real Madrid watched Arsenal's William Saliba in action against Manchester City on Sunday and maintain their interest in signing the centre-back. (TBR Football), external
'That point could be massive' - Rooney defends Arsenal drawpublished at 15:53 BST 22 September
15:53 BST 22 September
Image source, Getty Images
Former England striker Wayne Rooney spoke about Arsenal earning a late draw against Manchester City on Sunday on the latest edition of The Wayne Rooney Podcast: "Sometimes we're quick to jump at teams who draw a game at home. Those games are tough games - very rarely do you see a team going to win 2-0 or 3-0 in them. They're always very tight.
"It's a decent point. Could they have won the game? Of course they could. But in the main, going 1-0 down and then Manchester City playing a low block [makes it] very difficult to break a team down.
"City have probably flipped what Arsenal did to them a few years ago and they saw how hard that was to break down. So City have done that and nearly got away with it.
"Any point against Manchester City, even though they're not the best with some of the players they have, is a good point.
"Sir Alex Ferguson used to always come in and say to us, after games we drew and have gone into the dressing room annoyed, that point will win us the league.
"And then on the flip side, he used to tell us when we were leading 2-0 or 3-0 to keep going and trying to score more goals. You never know, this league could be won or lost on goal difference, which we obviously experienced.
"So, there are points throughout the season - which only time will tell - that end up being massive.
"If Arsenal win the league by one point, you look back on this game and say: 'You know what, that was a massive result."
Arsenal's bench 'better than their starting XI'published at 11:19 BST 22 September
11:19 BST 22 September
Image source, Getty Images
"If Arsenal are going to win the league this year, it has to be because they are on the front foot going to beat teams."
That is the view of former Gunners striker Jay Bothroyd after Mikel Arteta's team selection in Sunday's draw against Manchester City once again drew scrutiny.
Eberechi Eze, Ethan Nwaneri, Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka all started on the bench and were introduced in the second half with Arsenal fighting to recover from being 1-0 down.
"You sign players like Eze so they can come and light it up," Bothroyd told Radio 5 Live Breakfast. "He's got fantastic ability - we've seen his quality, so I think everyone was disappointed to see that [he didn't start].
"But also in midfield, with [Martin] Zubimendi and [Mikel] Merino alongside Declan Rice you've got three number sixes or three defensive midfield players. You want to see the attacking players on there.
"Everyone was saying 'look how good our bench was' - our bench was better than our starting XI!
"I feel like Arteta needs to be more attacking. I always feel like against big teams, he goes out with the mindset of not to lose. That's a negative."
Arsenal have to provide more for Gyokeres - Artetapublished at 11:19 BST 22 September
11:19 BST 22 September
Image source, Getty Images
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has defended Viktor Gyokeres' performance against Manchester City after he only had 22 touches.
Gyokeres has scored three goals in five Premier League games but offered little threat in Sunday's game.
Arteta attributed that to a lack of service, which could also be felt in the stadium as supporters became increasingly frustrated with their side's lack of creativity.
"There were a lot of situations that chances were there but then the final pass was missing," Arteta said. "There were a lot of very good balls in the box, especially I remember three of them that [Gyokeres] was very, very close to doing it against City.
"To have very big open chances is extremely difficult, but he's certainly trying his best to do that.
'Do you sulk about it or get on with it? Martinelli gets on with it'published at 09:51 BST 22 September
09:51 BST 22 September
Alex Howell Arsenal reporter
Media caption,
Gabriel Martinelli's stoppage-time equaliser showed why it is too early to write his Arsenal career off.
The winger has had an excellent week, scoring and assisting in Arsenal's win over Athletic Club in the Champions League, before earning the Gunners a valuable draw against Manchester City.
Martinelli has lost his starting place - starting two of Arsenal's six game this season - after a difficult time in his career, but has shown just how important he can be when he is at his best.
Ex-Arsenal forward Theo Walcott told BBC Sport: "You can either sit there and sulk about things or you can actually have a look at yourself and think: 'How am I going to affect the situation I am in?'
"I don't think he has ever been in this situation before, actually being constantly challenged in that position. He has had moments before when he has been on the bench, but last year he was a starter.
"This year, he is having to accept he is going to be in and out, but he is definitely going about it in the right way because he is a hard worker and a grafter."
The 24-year-old is one of the quickest players in the Premier League and both his goals this week played to his strengths, with the ball played behind the opposition defence for him to run on to.
"I work for those moments. I leave [selection] for the gaffer. I just do my best to help this football club," said Martinelli.
"Of course I don't want to be on the bench. I want to play 90 minutes every single game, but [Mikel] Arteta knows what he does. He's the gaffer and everyone trusts him."
Martinelli has been low on confidence and aware of the debate about his place in the team.
And Walcott added: "As a player, you also have to deal with the mixed messages that can be created in this kind of narrative, when you are not starting every game.
"Martinelli scored after coming on [against Athletic Club] in midweek and he must have been thinking: 'Right, I am going to start on Sunday.' And then he sees [Leandro] Trossard start ahead of him.
"Again, how do you react to that? Do you sulk about it, or do you get on with it? He obviously gets on with things."
Naeem: Parallels to last years game just opposite teams. City parked the bus and we struggled to break them down. Got through in the end thanks to a super Martinelli finish and it is good to see him scoring after all the critique. Despite this, still not a great display. Need to find a way to get Viktor Gyokeres involved more so he can use that strength to help stride through. Can't be satisfied with a point apiece - we need to be gunning for three points every game.
Chris: Arsenal second again in the Premier League unless Mikel releases the handbrake, particularly at home. Be braver please - you've got the squad for it this season.
Paul: We never gave up and that's what champions do. The team is still finding its feet with all the new signings. Our strong bench is going to be crucial to any title run!
Phoenix: How Mikel Arteta keep doing same thing every time and expect a different results is messing with my imagination. Manchester City was there for the taking. All we had to do was use our best attacking team that doesn't include Mikel Merino in the middle. We keep saying the gaffer knows what he's doing but honestly we have to start questioning his selection. Liverpool are the winners. In just five games, we have started the chasing game .
Man City fans
Russell: First half good, second half terrible. Lucky to come away with a point!
Stella: Despite playing very defensively, this game gave me some optimism. It is the first time City's defence looked relatively solid. People forget that this new team is a work in progress and Nico O'Reilly particularly did very well in an unnatural position. He and Abdukodir Khusanov looked like stable full-backs against some very good players. Arsenal also had two extra days to rest and prepare, which certainly showed as the latter stages of the game were reached with City's players looking close to exhaustion. It was a game we couldn't lose. A tiny green shoot of recovery?
David: City got a very good breakaway goal but they really should have pressed for a second. It was most unlike them to play a very low block like they were scared. They won't win anything unless their better players can express themselves.
Shaun: Pep the bus! Absolute joke, that's not what City are about. Liverpool have got the title in the bag and we will be lucky to get fourth.
Analysis: Finishers make mark but questions for Arteta over selectionpublished at 20:09 BST 21 September
20:09 BST 21 September
Alex Howell Arsenal reporter
Image source, Getty Images
The Gunners came into this game after an impressive win in Bilbao where the substitutes' bench proved the difference - and it was the 'finishers' who rescued a point on Sunday.
The £250m Arsenal spent this summer means the club have given Mikel Arteta an abundance of options when things are not going his way, but his team selection in big games is going to be key if the Gunners are to lift a trophy this season.
Having started with the same central midfield - Martin Zubimendi, Declan Rice and Mikel Merino - as in midweek, it was clear early on in the first half that Arsenal needed some more attacking flair on the pitch.
The same trio also began the 1-0 loss to Liverpool and led to criticism of Arteta's conservative approach when playing against some of their rivals.
The home supporters in the stadium became increasingly frustrated with their side's lack of creativity, despite the efforts of Noni Madueke who was the most threatening player in the opening 45 minutes.
Arteta brought on Eberechi Eze and Bukayo Saka at the break and the impact was immediate as Arsenal upped the ante and managed to pen City in for large spells.
This has been an excellent week for Gabriel Martinelli who has scored two important goals in two games after a difficult time in his career.
However, the questions will continue to come for Arteta about why his side cannot start matches in the same manner they have finished the last two.
Arsenal 1-1 Man City: What Arteta and Martinelli saidpublished at 19:16 BST 21 September
19:16 BST 21 September
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Mikel Arteta spoke to BBC Match of the Day after Arsenal's draw against Manchester City: "At the very least [we deserved a point].
"I'm so proud of my players, the way we played, the way we dominated almost every aspect of the game. Very disappointed not to win the game."
On City's goal: "We had the situation, five against two, a lot of a scramble over the ball and in that moment, that split second, Halland runs on and they attacked the space in a great way - that's the quality they have.
"We are in the top end of the pitch, cross the ball and a lot of things have to happen but that's their quality."
On chances for City: "One is a corner, another is a counter attack and the other is a giveaway. That's it. To keep City to just that, chapeau to the boys."
On Arsenal's performance: "I think we played better than last year when we beat them. Much better."
On Martinelli scoring off the bench: "Very happy, that is what they're here for. Ebs [Eze] as well with the ball he plays to Gabi, the timing of the run and the quality of the finish is unbelievable."
On subs making an impact: "They are all going to play. They will all have opportunity. We're going to need them at that level. There is no question that that is something very necessary."
On being five points behind Liverpool: "We cannot control that. They win every match. It's going to be very difficult but if we play at this level, like we did against Manchester City, we will be fine."
Gabriel Martinelli also spoke to MOTD after Sunday's draw: "Of course we wanted to win the game.
"I think we created a lot of chances during the game and were just a bit unlucky in certain moments. Happy with the goal but we didn't want to draw the game, we wanted to win it so let's keep working to win those ones."
On his goal: "I saw Ebs [Eze] getting the ball and I tried to make eye contact with him and once the ball was open, I made the movement and it was a great ball from him. I just tried to put it in the back of the net."
On making an impact from the bench: "I work for those moments. I leave [selection] for the gaffer, he knows what he does. I just do my best to help this football club.
"Of course, I don't want to be on the bench. I want to play 90 minutes every single game but Arteta knows what he does, he's the gaffer and everyone trusts him. We're really happy with him."
On scoring late on: "We play for Arsenal, we know how big this club is and we try our best in the games to win football matches. We didn't want to draw but, in the end, we did."
Did you know?
Mikel Arteta is the first manager to avoid defeat in five consecutive league games against Pep Guardiola, with his Arsenal side winning twice and drawing the other three across their last five Premier League meetings with Guardiola's Manchester City.
Manchester City recorded their lowest ever possession average by a Pep Guardiola team in a top-flight league match (today his 601st), while the two lowest have both been in games away to Arsenal in the Premier League (32.8% today, 36.5% in March 2023).
Arsenal v Man City: Team news published at 15:54 BST 21 September
15:54 BST 21 September
Mikel Arteta names Leandro Trossard in his starting XI after his goal and assist in the midweek win over Athletic Bilbao. William Saliba comes into the starting XI after an ankle problem and Bukayo Saka is back on the bench after a hamstring injury.
Arsenal starting XI: Raya, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori, Zubimendi, Rice, Merino, Trossard, Madueke, Gyokeres
Subs: Arrizabalaga, Martinelli, Eze, Mosquera, White, Norgaard, Nwaneri, Lewis-Skelly, Saka
Pep Guardiola names an unchanged side from the one that beat Napoli in the Champions League in midweek. City are looking for their first win against Arsenal in five matches.
Manchester City starting XI: Donnarumma, Khusanov, Dias, Gvardiol,O'Reilly, Rodri, Reijnders, Silva, Foden, Doku, Haaland
Subs: Trafford, Ake, Stones, Gonzalez, Savinho, Nunes, Bobb, Mukasa, Lewis
You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Sunderland v Aston Villa" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Arsenal v Man City", for instance.
Saka returns to full training and 'could be available' for City clashpublished at 11:32 BST 21 September
11:32 BST 21 September
Sami Mokbel Senior football correspondent
Image source, Getty Images
Bukayo Saka has returned to first team training ahead of today's clash against Manchester City.
The Arsenal attacker has been missing since coming off in the second half of a 5-0 win over Leeds on 23 August with a hamstring injury.
But Saka has now returned to full training to provide Mikel Arteta with a key boost ahead of the game against Pep Guardiola's team this afternoon.
Early indications are that Saka could be available for selection in today's match day squad.
Captain Martin Odegaard, who came off in last weekend's friendly win over Nottingham Forest after falling awkwardly, has also stepped up his training but it remains to be seen if he is available today with sources insisting the midfielder may not be ready.
Arsenal v Man City: Key stats and talking pointspublished at 12:58 BST 20 September
12:58 BST 20 September
Two title hopefuls meet at Emirates Stadium as Arsenal look to continue their recent excellent record against rivals Manchester City. BBC Sport takes a look at the key talking points going into Sunday's game.
After a run of just two wins in 22 Premier League matches against City, the Gunners have mastered how to rattle Pep Guardiola's side of late, with two wins at the Emirates and two away draws in their past four encounters.
After thrashing them 5-1 in February, Arsenal now have the chance to secure back-to-back top-flight wins over City for the first time since December 2015.
The Gunners continued their strong start to the season with a hard-fought Champions League win at Athletic Club on Tuesday. To highlight their increased squad strength, five of their eight new summer signings started, while the two goals came from substitutes of the calibre of Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard.
Joining them on the bench in Bilbao were the likes of William Saliba, Christian Norgaard, Miles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri. "The 'finishers' are going to be more important this season sometimes than the starters," Arteta says of the impact he hopes his substitutes will have. "We can change the game there, especially with the intensity that we play and teams start to drop off."
An enlarged squad naturally gives Arteta a headache of who to select and one of the key areas he will be keen to address is a perceived lack of creativity in big games. This was again exposed in their 1-0 defeat at Liverpool last month, during which they mustered just one shot on target.
Manchester City came through their reunion with Kevin de Bruyne and his Napoli side unscathed.
The next challenge for Guardiola is to rectify their poor form against Arsenal.
He has never gone five games without a top-flight league win against an opponent, while his protegee Arteta could also become the first manager to go five league matches unbeaten against Guardiola.
Another thing that needs addressing is City's form post European fixtures.
They have lost five of their past seven matches that have immediately followed a midweek Champions League match, including their 5-1 hammering at the Emirates last season.
Their previous five such defeats came over a period of 46 games across five years.
The Gunners, who played on Tuesday, have also had two days extra rest on City.
With four goals in six Premier League appearances against Arsenal, City will again look towards talisman Erling Haaland for inspiration, especially given how well he has begun the season for club and country.
"Erling has been incredible since the start, but this season he is better than ever," Guardiola said last week. "I would say better than the Treble year [2022-23]."
Against Napoli, he scored his 50th goal on his 49th Champions League appearance, reaching the milestone in at least 13 appearances fewer than any other player in the competition's history.
'Now or never for Arteta' - Rooneypublished at 11:58 BST 20 September
11:58 BST 20 September
Image source, Getty Images
Former Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney says it is time for Arsenal to take the next step as they prepare to host Manchester City on Sunday.
The Gunners have finished second in the table for the past three seasons and Rooney believes boss Mikel Arteta's future depends on success this season.
"I think it's now or never for Arteta being honest," Rooney told The Wayne Rooney Show.
"He has to win something major this season, in my opinion, because he has spent a lot of money, brought a lot of players in and he's probably got the best squad in the league. At least the most balanced squad and players for each position."
Under Arteta, Arsenal won the FA Cup in August 2020 but they have not added a major trophy since then.
"I think it's big pressure for him now to win the league and I think Arsenal have given him everything they can to go and do it.
"So I think it's on him the players to go and try and win that."
