Mikel Arteta, Arsenal’s manager, has revealed that there is an untouchable player on his team who will always start matches, regardless of their performance, unless they are injured. This revelation comes after a recent narrow 2-1 victory against Sevilla in the Champions League, where Arteta’s decision to leave certain players on the pitch paid off.
The key player in this victory was Gabriel Jesus, who played a crucial role in both goals. In the first-half stoppage time, he executed a masterful ‘Cruyff’ turn under pressure, setting up a goal for Martinelli. Later, he scored a stunning curling effort into the far corner, displaying the kind of finish that Arsenal had hoped for when they paid £45 million for their No. 9.
However, not all players were as fortunate. Leandro Trossard, who had previously rescued a point for Arsenal in a 2-2 draw against Chelsea, found himself on the bench once again, with Bukayo Saka and Martinelli chosen ahead of him. Trossard has contributed five goals (four goals, one assist) in just eight appearances this season, making a strong case for himself, but Arteta seems unwilling to drop Saka or Martinelli without injury concerns.
Kai Havertz, another player left out, also received limited playing time. His £65 million summer move to Arsenal raised expectations, but he has had few opportunities in the team. Arteta’s decision to snub both Trossard and Havertz may have worked in this instance, but it could lead to unhappiness among these talented players if they continue to be left out.
Thomas Partey’s absence due to a muscle injury once again highlighted the midfielder’s reliability issues. Arteta brought in Jorginho in January to bolster the midfield, as Partey has been frequently unavailable. This recurring problem raises questions about the future of Partey at Arsenal.
Another point of focus was the goalkeeper, David Raya, who faced criticism after an error in a previous match against Chelsea. Despite this, Arteta chose to keep faith in Raya, and the goalkeeper responded by putting in a solid performance against Sevilla. Raya’s distribution was effective, and he showed confidence in claiming the ball from crosses. While he couldn’t prevent Gudelj’s header, Arteta is likely to feel vindicated in his decision to stick with Raya.
