Ian Wright was critical of Reiss Nelson and Joe Willock for not attacking the final third enough during Arsenal’s FA Cup win against Newcastle on Saturday.
The TV pundit told Match of the Day on BBC One that Nelson ‘doesn’t do it’ in regards to providing that threat from the flanks, whilst Willock is ‘not doing enough’ in making those runs inside the penalty area.
Both players were substituted by Mikel Arteta before Arsenal could book their place in the next round of the FA Cup in extra-time.
Wright shared his thoughts on how Emile Smith-Rowe is doing what he wants the likes of Nelson and Willock to do in the final third.
“What we have seen with Emile Smith-Rowe missing [before he came on] is that person who plays on the half-turn,” said Wright.
“You are looking at Elneny and Joe Willock. Both of them are trying to get the ball, but they are too deep.
“You want to try and get around the back of Newcastle. I think there’s a couple of instances that Reiss Nelson could try to offer that threat. But he doesn’t do it. He’s not been doing it. That’s what he needs to do.
“If it wasn’t for Kieran Tierney and his own work then nothing happens. You look at Joe Willock, he has got to be bursting a gut to get in there. That’s what you miss from Smith-Rowe because he wants to get in the box. They are not doing it enough.”
Whilst a couple of Arsenal youngsters still try to find their feet, there are others who are shining bright and trying to push the club back to their best.
Bukayo Saka and Smith-Rowe are the ones who are standing up from the academy and, in some ways, showing up some of their senior players.
The likes of Willian and Pepe haven’t been good enough this season and it wouldn’t be a surprise if they are no longer at the club in the summer.
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