5 Things We Learned From Arsenal Vs West Brom

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3. Mikel Arteta has no more use

I understand the whole argument that Mikel Arteta is not a defensive midfielder. I do. I get it. And to a certain extent I agree with it. It is unfair to criticize a guy that continuously gets played out of position.

You do have to question Arsene Wenger’s usage of him. Absolutely you do. My point in saying that Arteta is essentially ‘useless’ is no criticism of Arteta. It is a criticism that is 98% on Wenger and 2% on Arteta.

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Our captain came on in the 14th minute, fouled some people, disappeared, gave up an own goal and got hurt. In that order. Arteta has been physically unable to go the full 90 minutes for some time now. He is too old and unfit. But his time on the field at the Hawthorns was just over 30 minutes before he got hurt.

It’s time to move on from our days with Mikel Arteta. That is almost certainly the plan at the end of the year. But it should be the plan now. Arsenal’s vulnerability skyrockets when he is on the pitch. If his future is in coaching, so be it, welcome him as a coach. But as a player, no more.

At number two, we touch on a very painful realization about the team as a whole.

Next: Number 2