Arsenal’s Premier League title ambitions are under early scrutiny, and former Sky Sports anchor Richard Keys isn’t holding back. Following a dramatic 1-1 draw with Manchester City, Keys pointed the finger directly at Mikel Arteta, suggesting the manager’s tactical decisions could derail the Gunners’ championship push.
Late Drama Masks Tactical Questions
Arsenal salvaged a crucial point at the Emirates thanks to a moment of brilliance from Gabriel Martinelli deep into injury time. His late equalizer canceled out an early strike from Erling Haaland, who gave Manchester City the lead just nine minutes into the game. While the Gunners managed to avoid defeat, the performance — and more importantly, Arteta’s lineup choices — sparked heavy debate.
Arsenal Trail League Leaders Early
After five matches, Arsenal already find themselves five points adrift of early pacesetters Liverpool, who have won all five of their opening games. While it’s still early in the campaign, the margin has led to questions about whether Arteta is getting his tactics right in high-stakes clashes.
Richard Keys Questions Arteta’s Selection Choices
Speaking on beIN Sports, Richard Keys didn’t mince words about Arteta’s lineup decisions, particularly the exclusion of star summer signing Eberechi Eze from the starting XI.
“I’m astounded,” Keys said. “I said last week, if they don’t win the title, Arteta will be the reason. You’ve got to start Eze — unless he’s injured — he should be starting every game, especially this one.”
Keys was also critical of the decision to start Leandro Trossard over more dynamic options like Martinelli or Eze, suggesting it lacked the attacking intent needed in such a high-profile fixture. “You’re at home, you’ve got Eze, a player who excites the fans and can change a game. You spent big money on him and started Trossard instead — a player who’s more suited to coming off the bench.”
Midfield Setup Under the Microscope
Arteta opted for a midfield trio of Martin Zubimendi, Mikel Merino, and Declan Rice — a combination that drew raised eyebrows, especially with Eze available. Defending his choice, the Arsenal boss said post-match: “I thought it was the best setup to start the game. Nobody questioned this same midfield when we played in Bilbao.”
He also hinted at deeper reasoning behind his selections: “A lot goes into it — performance levels, emotional states, tactical considerations, chemistry. We evaluate all of that before making decisions.”
Arteta Defends Eze’s Role and Versatility
Addressing Eze’s limited minutes, Arteta clarified the England international’s positioning and how the coaching staff intends to utilize him. “Today, he was slightly shifted to the right, and that was deliberate,” Arteta explained. “Whether he’s operating as a central midfielder, an attacking midfielder, or cutting in from wide areas, Eze is extremely creative and efficient. That’s why we signed him — and we’re deploying him in different spaces based on tactical needs.”
While Arsenal escaped with a point against the defending champions, the match reignited concerns over Arteta’s decision-making in big games. With the season still in its early stages, the pressure is already mounting for the Gunners boss to find the right balance between strategy and flair — or risk seeing the title slip away once again.
