Paul Merson has told Sky Sports that Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was wrong to play Leandro Trossard upfront against Leicester City at the King Power Stadium in the Premier League.
The former Arsenal star and Sky Sports pundit has said that he would have brought on ‘natural’ striker Eddie Nketiah at half time.
Arsenal won 1-0 against Leicester in the Premier League this past weekend.
Gabriel Martinelli scored the only goal of the match in the opening minute of the second half.
It was the £20 million (Sky Sports) January signing from Brighton and Hove Albion, Trossard, who provided the assist.
The 28-year-old is a winger by trade, but against Leicester this past weekend, Arsenal manager Arteta used the Belgium international as a false nine, a decision that Merson was not too keen on.
Paul Merson on Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and Leandro Trossard
Merson said: “I wasn’t sure about Leandro Trossard playing up front, I didn’t think it worked.
“I’d have brought Eddie Nketiah on at half-time because for all the play Arsenal had they didn’t look like scoring in the first half. The VAR decision to disallow Trossard’s goal was a brilliant spot.
“Trossard playing in that position did mean they could keep possession because he was coming short for the ball. It was like Man City from last season playing a false nine.”
Trust the process
In our view, Arsenal fans should trust manager Mikel Arteta and his way of doing things.
Now, Trossard has played own the middle on occasions for Brighton.
Yes, Nketiah is a natural striker, but the Englishman has not been in good form in recent games.
Arteta had to make changes and try to give his side something else to work with.
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