Pain in the Arsenal
Fansided

3 changes Mikel Arteta needs to make after Man City defeat

By Adam Keys

Arsenal's Spanish manager Mikel Arteta reacts during the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north west England, on April 26, 2023. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal's Spanish manager Mikel Arteta reacts during the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north west England, on April 26, 2023. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 3
Next
Arteta needs to give Reiss Nelson a chance
Arteta needs to give Reiss Nelson a chance /

3. Reiss Nelson deserves a start

Reiss Nelson grabbed the headlines against Bournemouth and provided Arsenal with one of the biggest moments of the season, and has looked good every time he has come on since.

His physical development has enabled him to become a more mature player, free from the threat of being knocked off the ball, and it has given him a sense of bravery that we hadn’t previously seen from him at a first-team level with Arsenal.

Against City, we saw the same again. He was tenacious, daring and scrappy as he ran at defenders and created doubt. If anything, he should have been brought on earlier in a second half that was filled with dead possession.

With Bukayo Saka’s form dipping badly since the international break, Arteta should give Nelson the start, give Saka a rest and remind him that his spot in the starting XI isn’t guaranteed, no matter how good he’s been all season.

The league may now be in City’s hands, but Arsenal can still finish with 90 points, and Arteta will want to finish as strongly as possible and bring that end-of-season form into 2023/24.