Arsenal: Martin Keown’s changes offer no-lose risk

After Arsenal’s 3-1 loss to Manchester City on Sunday, Martin Keown has urged Arsene Wenger to make a change with Alexandre Lacazette and Jack Wilshere. The selection alteration offers a no-lose risk.

Entering the season, the tentative hope for Arsenal was a title challenge. After Sunday’s defeat to Manchester City, one that was predictably dominant for Pep Guardiola’s side, such hopes seem somewhat naively ambitious.

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The Gunners now sit 12 points behind their opponents, languishing in sixth place, and look utterly incapable of mounting the type of run that is required to chase down the blistering league leaders. It is quickly becoming clear that Arsene Wenger has very little to lose. Risks may as well be taken.

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That brings me to Martin Keown’s Daily Mail column which he releases every Monday. This week, he chose to focus on his former club, commenting on what he believes they need to change in response to the definitive defeat. Keown gives a range of advice to his former manager. But the most significant comment came pertaining to the players that he believes should be starting. This is an extract that summarises his premonitions:

"“Where was Arsenal’s midfield creativity? They were not able to play the way they wanted in the final third and that is where Wilshere would have made a difference. He commits defenders, he creates space, he finds that pass for Alexis Sanchez or Alexandre Lacazette. Does Wenger play Wilshere instead of Ozil, or in midfield in place of Xhaka? <…> I do not understand why Lacazette did not start. Any doubts about Arsenal’s record signing were erased when he came on and scored.”"

Let’s be clear, the dropping of Alexandre Lacazette is absolutely infuriating. I cannot fathom as to why Wenger thought that would be a good plan to implement, especially considering the four-goal thumping his side suffered the last time he didn’t start. And I would be surprised to see it happen again. Wenger is notoriously tentative with new signings, often protecting them as they adapt to a new and unique footballing culture.

But the reinstating Jack Wilshere into the line-up is an extremely intriguing prospect indeed. The midfielder has looked sharp in limited action so far this season, although the quality of the opposition must be taken into account, and he would add a missing spark to Arsenal’s play that could be exciting to watch. His reintroduction could lend itself well to a reversion to a back-four, meaning that Wenger could add another midfielder to the mix. But in whatever form Wilshere’s starting would be, it would offer an interesting and appealing element of change and novelty

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Ultimately, whether Wenger persists with what he has started the season with, or whether he chooses to switch it up, the underlying point remains that Arsenal are currently in a no-lose situation. They may as well take a risk and try and inject a little bit of life into their season. And with the North London Derby immediately after the international break, there is no better game than to make a statement in.