62% passing, 0 dribbles: Arteta must now drop 26-touch Arsenal star alongside Kepa vs Southampton
Arsenal suffered a disappointing 2-0 loss to Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday.
The Gunners had the opportunity to end their six-year trophy drought by beating the Cityzens in a packed Wembley Stadium.
The club had a good start to the League Cup final, but Man City regained momentum and dominated the early part of the second half.
Kepa Arrizabalaga’s mistake gifted Nico O’Reilly with the opening goal. The Man City graduate doubled the club’s advantage soon after.
Arrizabalaga undoubtedly deserves criticism for his huge blunder that helped the Cityzens break the deadlock at the hour mark.
However, there were several other underperformers including Leandro Trossard, who looked a shadow of himself on the left wing yesterday.
The Belgian got the nod over Gabriel Martinelli to start, but he barely impressed until his late substitution.
Trossard was easily pocketed by Man City’s makeshift right-back Matheus Nunes.
The 31-year-old registered only eight passes in the final with an accuracy of 62 percent. He lost the ball seven times from 26 touches.
Trossard did win five duels with six recoveries, but most of those were in his own half as the Gunners struggled during the second half. He did not manage a single dribble.
The £27 million signing has suffered a drastic dip in form since the turn of the year, and he has not scored in his previous 18 games across all competitions.
He has looked short of pace during the back end of the season. The decision to leave him on the pitch for 82 minutes yesterday must be questioned.
Martinelli’s form has not been spectacular, but the Brazilian’s raw pace early in the second half would have offered a different headache for Nunes.
Arsenal return to action after the international break with an FA Cup quarter-final against Southampton at St Mary’s, which has been a bogey ground for them over the years.
We believe Trossard must be dropped from the starting XI alongside Arrizabalaga. It is a no-brainer to start Martinelli on the left wing with David Raya reinstated in goal.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com & Sofascore.com
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