Arsenal’s dramatic last-gasp equaliser against Manchester City may have earned them a vital point, but club legends Theo Walcott and Ian Wright believe Mikel Arteta’s cautious approach nearly cost them. Both former players questioned Arsenal’s midfield setup and decision-making, pointing to tactical imbalances and underutilized attacking talent.
Walcott: Merino and Zubimendi Too Similar to Start Together
Theo Walcott, analyzing Arsenal’s midfield performance on Match of the Day, didn’t hold back in his assessment of Mikel Arteta’s selection. The former winger specifically highlighted the inclusion of both Mikel Merino and Martin Zubimendi, claiming the two Spanish midfielders are “very similar” and lack the creative spark needed to break down elite teams like Manchester City.
“Merino isn’t a natural No. 10,” Walcott said. “Someone like Eberechi Eze should be playing there—he brings creativity and unpredictability, which was missing for long stretches.”
Walcott also noted that both Merino and Zubimendi being left-footed led to them often occupying similar spaces, creating congestion in midfield rather than fluidity. “For me, the balance just isn’t right. They tend to get in each other’s way,” he added.
Arsenal’s Late Offensive Push: A Missed Opportunity?
The Gunners managed to snatch a 1–1 draw thanks to Gabriel Martinelli’s brilliant injury-time strike, but Walcott questioned why it took until the final minutes for Arsenal to show real attacking intent.
“My biggest issue is why we waited until the 90th minute to really push forward,” he said. “Arteta’s half-time changes admitted as much—that he didn’t get the starting XI right. And the subs after that came too late.”
Wright: Eze and Martinelli Deserved to Start
Ian Wright echoed Walcott’s sentiments and went even further, insisting that both Martinelli and Eze should’ve been in the starting lineup. Speaking on Premier League Productions, the Gunners icon said: “Martinelli gets the crowd going. Eze makes things happen. That’s what you need early against a team like City.”
Wright pointed out how uncharacteristically defensive City were, adding, “When have you ever seen City come to defend like that? We had the chance to exploit that from the start, but we didn’t.”
When asked about Arteta labelling Martinelli a “finisher,” Wright warned against pigeonholing the Brazilian as just a super-sub. “He’s proven in big games, in the Champions League and now again here. At some point, he deserves to start and prove what he can do from minute one.”
Adebayor: Arteta Faces a Good Problem, But a Tough One
Former striker Emmanuel Adebayor also weighed in, comparing Arteta’s selection headache to Pep Guardiola’s early days at Barcelona. With so much talent at his disposal, Arteta is now tasked with keeping players happy while still getting results.
“You’ve got internationals from Brazil, from England—they want to start,” Adebayor said. “And to play for your country, you need to be playing regularly for your club. Managing that expectation isn’t easy, and it could become a problem if not handled well.”
Looking Ahead: Selection Dilemmas Could Define Arsenal’s Season
Arsenal’s depth is undoubtedly a strength, but the way Arteta manages that talent could determine whether they truly challenge for the Premier League title. Balancing tactical discipline with creative freedom will be key—especially as the fixtures pile up and the margin for error shrinks.
