Alan Shearer and Ian Wright were in agreement that Mikel Arteta made the ‘right decision’ to drop Eddie Nketiah for Arsenal’s 1-0 win over Leicester City on Saturday.
Arsenal’s back-up striker had gone four games without a goal, and with January signing Leandro Trossard and Brazil star Gabriel Martinelli pushing one another for starting spots, Arteta opted to start both at the King Power.
Given the duo’s versatility, the former Brighton man played down the middle, with Martinelli in his usual left-wing role.
That call from Arteta proved to be a masterstroke because Trossard did score a belter of a goal, only for it to be ruled out by VAR, with Martinelli getting what turned out to be the winner.
Now, ahead of Arsenal’s game in hand against Everton on Wednesday night, the same XI should play, with Nketiah chomping at the bit from the bench.
It only increases competition from within and that only results in those wins stacking up for the Premier League leaders, as Shearer and Wright had the following to say on that call, as they told PL Productions (25/02/23 at 2:15 pm).
“I feel for Eddie,” said Wright. “I think it kind of fell off for him a little bit. I am hearing that he has had a knock for a few weeks, so that might be the reason that has happened.
Shearer added: “I think it’s the right decision to leave Eddie out. I think he needs a bit of rest. I think, after the Manchester City game, he missed a couple of big chances. He had a couple of big chances last week.
“He’s been great because the question was put to him. Who is going to come in after Jesus got injured? And he came in, did well and stood up. But I think he has found it tough of late, so I think it’s the right call to sit him out for a game or two and give Trossard a chance down the middle.”
Wright then stated: “We are talking about somebody who has come in and he’s really had to take the baton and run with it and keep Arsenal where they are. Arsenal started well. He came in and did that. I think that might be a strain on him as well because he is somebody that’s not played a lot of football, so that might be having an effect – it’s good management.”
ARSENAL RESUMING NORMAL SERVICE
That’s back-to-back wins for the Gunners after their recent three-game blip, which also included getting beat by Manchester City.
But, by the end of next week, it might just get even better.
Arsenal’s game in hand is against Everton on Wednesday, before Bournemouth visit the Emirates next Saturday. If Arteta’s men can pick up two wins, then that’s at least a five-point gap from Manchester City, and possibly if their title rivals drop points, then it could be even more.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
