Things got much worse for Arsenal and Mikel Arteta on Saturday, following William Saliba’s performance out on loan.
Arsenal kicked off the day by losing 5-0 to Manchester City.
It was inevitable when you consider that Arteta used Rob Holding, Calum Chambers and Sead Kolasinac – a left-back – as part of a three-man central defence.
After the game, Gunners fans were ripping into Arteta for loaning Saliba to Marseille – and his performance last night underlines what a mistake it was.
The 20-year-old powerhouse impressed in a big way as the Ligue 1 side beat Saint-Etienne 3-1.
In 90 minutes, Saliba, who has now been loaned out twice by the 39-year-old Spanish coach, managed 115 touches and clocked a passing success of 96 percent, which is superb.
The towering centre-back, who stands at 6’4, also managed six dribbles and won eight ground duels.
It was the sort of display that made Arsenal shell out £27 million for him two years ago, during Unai Emery’s spell as head coach.
And here’s how fans of the Emirates Stadium club reacted to his performance on Twitter:
Dangerous
This is Arteta’s most testing period since joining Arsenal as boss in December of 2019.
And with the North Londoners rock bottom of the Premier League table after three games, failing to win at home to newly-promoted Norwich City after the international break may just be the final straw.
They are playing like a relegated team and eventually it’ll get to a point where staying is seriously dangerous for the club.
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