Mikel Arteta urged to drop key Arsenal player ahead of crucial second-leg battle against PSG—will he make the bold call?
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta urged to drop a key Arsenal player ahead of the Champions League second leg against PSG, following a 1-0 defeat in the first leg at the Emirates Stadium, Arteta has been urged to make a bold tactical change that could shape the Gunners’ fate in the competition.
Ex-Premier League midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker has suggested that Arteta should drop Gabriel Martinelli in favor of Ethan Nwaneri, a promising young talent who has impressed in his breakthrough season. Reo-Coker believes that Nwaneri’s fearless approach could be exactly what Arsenal needs to overturn their deficit in Paris.
“In those type of games, you want players who are fearless, who are going to go out there and just do it and not let the pressure of the situation get to them,” Reo-Coker told CBS. “I would start Nwaneri. If you’re good enough, you’re old enough. I would let Ethan go out there and do his thing.
Despite their dominant performances against Real Madrid in the quarter-finals, Arsenal failed to replicate that level against PSG. Ousmane Dembélé’s early goal proved decisive, leaving the Gunners with an uphill battle in the return fixture.
Arteta acknowledged the disappointment but remained optimistic, stating, “We put so much into the game. We struggled in the first 10-15 minutes but were better after that. It’s disappointing not to get a draw at least”
Arteta is set to recall Thomas Partey, who was suspended for the first leg, while Mikel Merino is expected to return to his attacking role. However, the biggest question remains whether Arteta will heed the advice to start Nwaneri over Martinelli.
PSG manager Luis Enrique has warned that his side expects a tough battle in the second leg, stating, “The result means a little advantage for us. We are going to suffer, we know that. I think we can go to the final, but there is still one match”.
With Arsenal needing a strong performance to keep their Champions League dreams alive, Arteta’s selection choices will be under intense scrutiny. Will he take the risk and trust Nwaneri in a high-stakes match? Or will he stick with his experienced players in a bid to overturn PSG’s advantage?
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