Mikel Arteta finds new Arsenal undroppable for Bayern Munich after double decision backfires
Mikel Arteta may have inadvertently discovered one Arsenal player he needs in every game from now until the end of the 2023/24 season. The Gunners suffered a shock 2-0 defeat at the hands of Aston Villa this past weekend with Leon Bailey and Ollie Watkins on target in the final stages.
Considering the clash was contested just three days before Arsenal took on Bayern Munich in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final, Arteta made a number of changes. Leandro Trossard and Oleksandr Zinchenko came into the starting XI in place of Jakub Kiwior and Jorginho.
The alterations meant a tactical reshuffle was needed with Kai Havertz back in midfield and Gabriel Jesus up top to accommodate Trossard on the left. Arsenal created numerous chances in the clash but were unable to find the back of the net for just the second time in 13 Premier League games.
Over the last three months, Arsenal's best form in front of goal and defensively has arrived with Kiwior at left-back and Havertz as part of the front three with Jorginho in midfield. However, all of those things were not in play against Villa which may have made things perfectly clear to Arteta.
Having Jorginho in the starting XI gives Arsenal a reliable body to stop and begin attacks and it also allows others, such as Havertz and Declan Rice, to thrive. For that reason, the Italy international absolutely has to be involved against Bayern at Allianz Arena and not just because of his own qualities but also what he frees up others to do.
Given the struggles at left-back, Arteta may also opt to deploy Takehiro Tomiyasu with Zinchenko and Kiwior frequently targeted for their defensive fragilities. Ahead of the clash, Arteta was asked for his thoughts on the upcoming game and how
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