PAUL MERSON has urged Arsenal to make a key change to their line-up for Sunday’s North London derby.
The Gunners dropped points away to bottom of the table Wolves in a 2-2 draw on Wednesday, meaning they have now won just two of their last seven league matches.
Arteta waving his team on at a rainy MolineuxCredit: Getty
Arteta loses his patience after his team suffered dropped points unexpectedlyCredit: Getty
Title rivals and have the opportunity to move just two and five points off league leaders should they win their Saturday fixtures.
That would put pressure on ‘s side ahead of Sunday’s clash against Tottenham, where Merson believes Arteta should tweak his team.
He said: “ started against Wolves and he’s very hot and cold.
“He will do something amazing and the next thing he does would make you go, ‘why did he do that?’
“Madueke is very direct but he has to mix it up. You can’t be direct all the time. He has still done better than what I expected this season though.
“I won’t be surprised if Saka goes to the wing and comes on for Madueke in this game. For me, Eze has to play as the No.10 against Spurs. He’s good in tight spaces and is better than Saka in that role.”
Madueke was signed from for £48.5m last summer predominantly as back-up for Saka, but has had a lot of game time.
Eze, meanwhile, was the star of the show two months ago, scoring a hat-trick in a 4-1 win at the Emirates to move Arsenal six points clear at the top.
That breathing space has been cut following Arsenal’s recent drop in form.
During that seven-game run, Eze has played just 157 minutes out of a possible 630.
It seemed that injuries to and would have meant Eze would naturally step into the No.10 position.
However, Arteta has adopted to put Bukayo Saka there and play Madueke on the right – something that has confused many, including Merson.
The Sky Sports pundit added: “I find it strange that Eberechi Eze did not start as the No.10 against Wolves. If he was brought in to do that, then why did he not start the game?
“Mikel Arteta used as a No.10 instead. He’s not suited to play there because he’s a proper winger.
“It was one of Arsenal’s worst ever games against Wolves. There were no patterns of play and they never looked like their usual self.”
Eze celebrates scoring a hat-trick against Spurs back in NovemberCredit: Getty
It was indeed rather uncharacteristic of Arsenal to throw away a two-goal lead as Wolves came back to draw 2-2 courtesy of Tom Edozie’s stoppage time eqaliser.
That may put doubt in the minds of the players ahead of Sunday’s huge game.
Merson added: “I’m sitting here and I don’t know what happens in this game. I thought I’d never say that, but it is what it is.
“Tottenham have a new manager and it’s basically a free swing for them in the derby now.
“The pressure is on Arsenal and if Newcastle lose to City, it just adds to it.
“I’m expecting Arsenal to win and will go 1-0 but I won’t be shocked if they failed to either. It just seems like they can’t open teams up anymore.”
Madueke has proven to be a good signing for Arsenal so far, but Merson believes he needs a spell out of the teamCredit: Getty
Arteta’s reaction says it all following a frustrating draw at WolvesCredit: Getty
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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