Paul Merson told Soccer Saturday on Sky Sports (10/04/21 at 2:00 pm) that Arsenal’s performances, and the fact that Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was on the bench on Thursday, ‘really worry’ him.
The outspoken TV pundit pointed out that Aubameyang is Arsenal’s ‘biggest earner’ and ‘your captain’ yet for Arsenal’s biggest game of the campaign, so far, against Slavia Prague, he wasn’t named in the starting XI.
Arsenal recorded a 1-1 draw against the Czech Republic outfit, with Aubameyang coming off the bench and playing a part in the tempo of the game changing his side’s way – but there have been holes in Arsenal’s defence all season and it was Tomas Holes who scored a crucial stoppage-time equaliser.
Merson delivered his take on Arsenal’s recent performances and how it’s ‘the worst’ he has seen.
“That’s the worst I have seen against Liverpool, for a long, long time,” said Merson. “We can talk about Emery. We can talk about the end of Wenger’s reign. That was the worst I have seen. It was shocking. It was absolutely shocking.
“I think it’s down to the manager. I think he’s telling them to kick the ball long. Surely, he’s telling them to roll the ball to the goalie and then start lumping it up the front.
“There’s no energy. There’s no plan. I watched them the other day in the Europa. They start off, the other team get the ball, they roll it along the back, the goalkeeper puts his foot on it, he looks around and then they roll it. And the Arsenal players are just standing there. You are thinking you are Premier League. You are Arsenal. Go after them.
“There’s so much to change. The Europa game. You have got your captain, your biggest earner by a million miles, sitting on the bench. Sitting on the bench! In your biggest game by a distance! I worry. I really worry for Arsenal. It saddens me.”
Every week seems a game-changing week for those in Arsenal colours and this week isn’t any different.
Whilst bottom-of-the-table Sheffield United await Arsenal tonight, that game on Thursday is huge for Arteta and perhaps his future.
If Arteta loses that then calls for him to be sacked will only grow from the Arsenal faithful.
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