Arteta must drop Arsenal star who had fewer touches than Raya vs Bayern

Arsenal are just a little bit good, aren’t they? Heading in the direction of the ultimate weekend of November, Mikel Arteta’s fees sit on the high of the Premier League.

Not simply in cracking kind domestically, defeating rivals Spurs 4-1 final Sunday, they’re additionally greater than as much as the duty in Europe.

Following 5 match weeks within the Champions League this season, they’re high of the desk there as effectively and they’re the one crew with a 100% file left within the competitors.

Their current win was maybe certainly one of their most particular of the Arteta period. Arsenal dispatched Bayern Munich, unbeaten Bayern this season, profitable 3-1 on the Emirates Stadium.

However, how did they do it?

Arsenal’s squad depth reigns supreme towards Bayern

What was made all of the extra spectacular about Arsenal’s win towards Vincent Kompany’s males was the truth that the Gunners weren’t at full power.

No Gabriel? No drawback. Jurrien Timber will rating from a nook as a substitute. No recognised quantity 9? Concern not, Mikel Merino will knit issues collectively.

No Martin Odegaard? Nicely, Eberechi Eze will maintain issues ticking over. After scoring a surprising hat-trick towards Spurs, he registered an help on Wednesday night.

No Bukayo Saka? Nicely, that does not seem like an issue now both. Saka did begin the sport however was not at his finest towards the German giants and whereas he was nonetheless harmful along with his actions, it was the winger’s substitution simply after the hour mark that tipped issues in Arsenal’s favour.

The primary half had been fairly even however the second interval was all in favour of the hosts they usually actually got here to the fore as soon as Saka was subbed. In earlier seasons, Arteta would not often dare to take the membership’s talisman off however Andrea Berta’s work in the summertime switch window has ensured that we now not want to fret about that.

Saka went off and earlier than you knew it, Noni Madueke was firing residence on the again keep on with make it 2-1. The purpose had been created by one other sub, Riccardo Calafiori, who galloped down the left-hand facet like a prize race horse and swung in an inch-perfect supply.

The third and ultimate purpose was tucked residence by one other substitute within the type of Gabriel Martinelli. Eze clipped a ball excessive and the Brazilian was left with a simple end after he knocked the ball previous an onrushing Manuel Neuer, who didn’t cowl himself in glory in any respect.

So, it was a win for Arsenal and a win for Berta who fought tooth and nail to spend a shedload on enhancing the membership’s depth. That work might effectively be decisive as they intention to win each the Premier League and Champions League.

That stated, it wasn’t a constructive evening for everybody in crimson and white.

Arsenal’s greatest concern after Bayern

Seeing Leandro Trossard, a person within the type of his profession proper now, limp off with an harm within the first half wasn’t supreme however in the end the standard of Arsenal’s depth shone by way of. Madueke and Martinelli got here on to get Arsenal over the road.

Equally, Calafiori got here on and gave Arsenal way over a sure Myles Lewis-Skelly had given throughout his 68 minutes on the sphere.

For supporters, there have been issues concerning the kind and minutes of {the teenager} this season. Final time period, he burst onto the scene in unbelievable style.

With Calafiori out injured, Lewis-Skelly was the primary man at left-back and as a consequence, he turned an everyday in Thomas Tuchel’s England squad. He even scored on his debut for the Three Lions.

There was that purpose and that celebration towards Manchester Metropolis too. He was nominated for PFA Younger Participant of the Season as effectively.

But, 2025/26 has been tougher for Lewis-Skelly. The 18-year-old featured within the first couple of England camps however was informed throughout the November break by Tuchel that he merely wanted to be beginning extra video games. Honest sufficient, proper?

He was not dismissing the truth that Lewis-Skelly is an efficient participant, however you merely aren’t going to make it in a World Cup squad for those who aren’t taking part in soccer.

There have nonetheless been some constructive performances from the Hale Ender this time period. There was that beautiful help for Martinelli’s purpose towards Atletico Madrid within the earlier levels of the Champions League. It was a chunk of play that showcased precisely what he is all about.

But, towards Bayern, we noticed a participant missing in first-team minutes and in the end a participant missing in confidence.

Lewis-Skelly’s evening wasn’t disastrous however he did endure a tougher night than his teammates. The England worldwide was caught out by an excellent ball in behind from Joshua Kimmich that led to Bayern’s equaliser.

Former Gunner, Serge Gnabry, obtained in behind the teenager after which laid the ball on a plate for 17-year-old Lennart Karl to attain. In a battle of the youngsters, it was the German who triumphed on this event.

Lewis-Skelly spent a lot of the evening relatively uncomfortable with The Customary handing the full-back a 5/10 match score, having endured a ‘robust night towards Michael Olise’.

In equity, few will get pleasure from a cushty evening towards a participant of Olise’s calibre however Calafiori’s affect off the bench solely served to indicate why Arteta has most well-liked the Italian this season.

Lewis-Skelly’s evening was made all the more severe by his lack of impression in possession. Often an space that is so spectacular in his sport, he had fewer touches of the ball (25) than David Raya (45) whereas he solely accomplished seven passes. Solely 33% of his passes within the opposition half had been correct.

So, this was a uncommon off evening for a child normally so fascinating and so filled with power. He struggled. So what? But, he should enhance if he needs to earn extra common minutes. For now, anticipate Calafiori to return again into the beginning lineup for Chelsea on the weekend.