‘What can you bring?’: Arteta sends message to Arsenal’s squad after Old Trafford win

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Arsenal’s 29-game run without a win away from home against a top-six side came to an end on Sunday. The Gunners dominated large parts of the game, and a silly foul by Paul Pogba on Hector Bellerin in the box gave Mikel Arteta’s side a penalty.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang slotted the ball home with ease, and that was enough for Arsenal to pick up the victory. Gunners supporters are clearly delighted with the three points, but a few of them weren’t impressed with Arteta’s team selection at the start.

Granit Xhaka and Dani Ceballos were both dropped to the bench, while Willian was preferred to Thursday night’s goal-scorer, Nicolas Pepe.

Arteta’s team selection proved to be the right one, as every Arsenal player was brilliant. Xhaka and Ceballos will have to do well to get their places back after an excellent display by Mohamed Elneny and Thomas Partey in the middle of the park.

Midweek goal-scorers Reiss Nelson and Joe Willock couldn’t even get a place on the bench, which shows how difficult the competition is for places. Arteta was asked about his selection headache, and the Arsenal boss’s message was clear: Everybody has to earn their place.

He said in his post-match press conference: “Everybody has to be ready if you want to perform at this level. Everybody has to be contributing and it’s not just on the pitch, it’s outside at the training ground. How are you contributing? What can you bring to the team?” (Football London).

Arteta isn’t afraid to drop big players

Arteta has shown that he is not afraid to make big calls. Mesut Ozil – Arsenal’s highest-paid player – can’t get a game, while Matteo Guendouzi was shipped out on loan.

Xhaka and Ceballos were integral for Arsenal in their FA Cup run last season. But, after a couple of underwhelming performances in the league, they were only given a spot on the bench.

Everyone at Arsenal has to put in the effort now to get into the side. Nobody’s place in the squad is a given, which keeps everyone focused and ready to come in whenever required.