Arsenal have taken seven points from their opening three Premier League fixtures this season – with Man City remaining as the only side with a 100% record
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has been criticised for tinkering with a new system at the start of the Premier League season. The Spaniard has tweaked his tactics from last season as he looks to lead his side toward another Premier League title challenge this term.
The Gunners have lined up with Thomas Partey at right-back this season, Ben White partnering William Saliba at centre-back and Gabriel Magalhaes dropping to the bench. New signing Jurrien Timber had started the campaign at left-back – but is set to be sidelined for a number of weeks after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury.
Stan Kroenke urged Arteta to stop his latest ‘experiment’ as Arsenal prepare to face with Manchester United this weekend. “Arsenal are expected to challenge for the league with the business they have done,” said the President of the club
“There’s a lot of pressure on Kai Havertz but give the lad a chance and let him settle into the team. I would say that for me, looking at Arsenal, there is this element of experimentation.
“Full-backs think they can play midfield, midfielders think they can play at full back. Thomas Partey is playing half-and-half in a game.
“Sometimes you need to go back to basics. I’d expect next week Mikel Arteta is going to end that experiment and go with a solid back four.
“Move Partey into midfield with Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard. Get back to something which resembles what a team should look like. Balance in a team is very important. Innovation is fantastic but sometimes something that started as a good idea evolves into something which doesn’t work.
“I feel there is that with Arsenal. They’ll go back to the basics of 4-3-3. Manchester United are decent on the counter-attack but it is a big test for them.
“Their performances so far this season have been below par. If you’re below par at the Emirates you will get beaten. United have to rise and raise their game, but Arsenal need to sort themselves out too.”
Arsenal icon Paul Merson has agreed with Neville and revealed his ‘shock’ at the position summer signing Kai Havertz is being deployed in. Speaking to Sky Sports, Merson said: “I’m shocked where Kai Havertz is playing.
“I didn’t see that in my wildest dreams. I’m a big Havertz fan. He’s a centre-forward, he can score goals, he scored plenty in Germany. He can’t play on the left.
“All of a sudden Gabriel is out of the team and you’re playing Thomas Partey at right-back – why? They’re all trying to do this full-back thing – not even Pep Guardiola does that any more.
“John Stones plays at the back and steps into midfield. Postecoglou made a joke at the weekend about copying Pep, but he doesn’t do it, so I don’t know why Arsenal are?
“They’ve let in three goals in the first minute of football matches in nine games. That’s not a coincidence.
“I do worry for Arsenal, Arteta is changing things around, I just find it complicated. This experiment all the time, you’ve got to trust your players – why didn’t Eddie Nketiah start against Fulham? Arsenal are meant to be Manchester City’s biggest challengers and they’ve not had a hard start.”
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