Mikel Arteta Arsenal
In a recent episode of the “Rest is Football” podcast, the tactical decisions of Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta came under scrutiny following the team’s performance in a major cup final. The discussion centered around the use of players like Erling Haaland and Antoine Semenyo, and the challenges faced by defender Piero Hincapie.
Micah Richards said: “You’ve had [Erling] Haaland and [Antoine] Semenyo playing up front, then Semenyo didn’t play and Haaland was up front and he gets his goal [vs Real Madrid]. Then you had Semenyo wide on the right up against Hincapie, [and] it was a difficult day for him. Once he got that yellow card, and I’ve been in that position guys, once you have that as a defender, it takes away not all your attributes… But for Hincapie, he reads the game well, he’s nice and aggressive, he gets out to people quickly.”
The podcast highlighted how Hincapie’s yellow card affected his ability to perform aggressively, a key component of his defensive style. The analysis suggested that Arteta’s decision not to substitute Hincapie for a fresh left-back from the bench was a tactical misstep.
Micah Richards continued: “For the goal, if he hadn’t have been on a yellow card, he would have gone out to the ball but because he’s thinking ‘I can’t make that challenge, I can’t be aggressive’, and that’s where I think Arteta got it wrong in the game when you’ve got left-backs on the bench, you have to use them. I know he likes Hincapie and he has been brilliant for Arsenal this season but in that moment, I think that was the difference.”
In addition to the defensive concerns, Arsenal’s choice of goalkeeper was also questioned. Kepa Arrizabalaga’s performance was contrasted with that of David Raya, with some suggesting that the latter would have been a more reliable choice in such a crucial match.
Micah Richards said on Sky Sports: “I know people will say it’s sentiment and he played in the earlier rounds, but Kepa is not as good as Raya. That’s why he is the number two. So why, in a major cup final when you’re trying to get across the line and you’ve not won a trophy in so long, do you decide to play him? You have to take responsibility for that.”
The analysis concluded that the decision to field Kepa, despite his previous performances, was a significant error. The discussion emphasized the importance of selecting players based on current form and ability, especially in high-stakes matches.
Overall, the podcast and subsequent analysis pointed to a need for Arteta to reassess his tactical strategies and player selections to enhance Arsenal’s competitiveness in future fixtures.
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