Mikel Arteta hints at dropping Arsenal star vs Man City with brutal decision for crucial clash
Mikel Arteta looks to have already made one big decision for this weekend's Premier League clash against Manchester City. On Thursday evening, the Gunners kicked off their Champions League campaign away to Atalanta with David Raya emerging as the hero to help Arteta's side take a point back to London.
The clash in Bergamo was tense from the off with minimal clear cut opportunities awarded to either side. Gabriel Martinelli went closest for the visitors but blazed his close-range shot over the bar with substitute Juan Cuadrado twice attempting to curl one in from distance, though attempts flew narrowly off target.
The biggest talking point of the match however, arrived just as the second period got underway when Thomas Partey was adjudged to have fouled Ederson in the penalty area. After receiving some advice from goalkeeper coach Inaki Cana while VAR checked the decision, Raya saved Mateo Retegui's spot-kick before also expertly clawing away his headed rebound.
"This season he’s been exceptional," Arteta said of Raya in his press conference after the game. "The save he made against Villa and today kept us in the game. You need that from a goalkeeper at this level. I’m really happy he’s in that form at the moment."
One player who has struggled so far this season though is Partey with that trend continuing against the Europa League holders. The Ghana international gave away possession on a number of occasions while also being bypassed in midfield far too easily with his disastrous night ending minutes after conceding a penalty.
Arteta making early substitutions is a rarity but in the same moment he decided to replace Gabriel Jesus as he continues to build fitness, Partey was also withdrawn. Leandro Trossard and Jorginho were the duo introduced and Partey going off not long after his error certainly hints at Arteta's plans for Man City.
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Though he is not blessed with a plethora of midfield options, as both Martin Odegaard and Mikel Merino are expected to be out for the next few weeks at least, Partey will be low on confidence and therefore cannot start in Arsenal's biggest game of the season so far.
Jorginho was excellent against Tottenham last weekend and starting him at the base of midfield will firmly be in the thoughts of Arteta. Declan Rice returned from suspension against Atalanta and will undoubtedly keep his place with Kai Havertz also in midfield.
Jesus is unlikely to keep his place given recent injury concerns and therefore Trossard coming back in up top to be flanked by Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli seems a predictable scenario.