Ian Wright Warns Arteta Over Benching Arsenal Duo After City Draw

Ian Wright warns Mikel Arteta to start Martinelli and Eze after their impact in Arsenal’s 1–1 draw with Manchester City.

Arsenal legend Ian Wright warns Mikel Arteta against leaving Gabriel Martinelli and Eberechi Eze on the bench after the Gunners’ dramatic 1–1 draw with Manchester City at the Emirates Stadium.

Arteta’s team selection raised eyebrows as both Martinelli and Eze were left out of the starting lineup. Despite shining in Arsenal’s midweek Champions League win over Athletic Bilbao, Eze was replaced by Mikel Merino, while Martinelli was only brought on in the final ten minutes.

The decision nearly backfired. Manchester City took the lead early, but it was the introduction of Eze and Martinelli that changed the game. Eze delivered the assist for Martinelli’s 93rd-minute equalizer, highlighting the duo’s creativity and attacking influence.

Wright’s Strong Verdict

Speaking on Premier League Productions, Ian Wright made his feelings clear:

“In my eyes, I’m starting Martinelli and Eze. Martinelli can get the crowd going. Eze can make those passes like we saw him do. We need to start that quickly.”

Wright also questioned Arteta’s tactical approach, especially with City playing unusually defensively:

“We’re looking at a City side who came to defend. When have you ever seen that? We’ve never seen that before.”

With Martin Ødegaard sidelined through injury and Bukayo Saka not fit to start, Arsenal’s midfield trio of Martin Zubimendi, Declan Rice, and Mikel Merino lacked attacking spark. Many pundits, including Wright, believe Eze should have been the natural replacement for Ødegaard to provide vision and flair in the first half.

Arsenal striker Viktor Gyokeres also came under scrutiny. While he has scored against teams like Leeds and Nottingham Forest, he struggled to make an impact against City. Critics are beginning to question his ability to deliver in big matches.

Looking Ahead to Newcastle

With a tough trip to Newcastle United up next, Wright’s warning serves as a reminder for Arteta to prioritize form and impact over rotation. Arsenal remain firmly in the Premier League title race, but costly tactical errors in high-profile games could hinder their chances.

The big question now: will Arteta start Martinelli and Eze against Newcastle?

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