Mikel Arteta urged to not start Arsenal star again after poor performance v Aston Villa

Arsenal’s 2-2 draw against Aston Villa has left many fans and pundits alike scratching their heads, particularly due to the tactical decision made by Mikel Arteta to start Thomas Partey at right-back. The game, which had high stakes in the Premier League title race, saw the Gunners squander a two-goal lead, with Villa coming back to equalize in the second half. The result has certainly put a dent in Arsenal’s title aspirations, leaving them six points behind Liverpool with the Merseyside club still having a game in hand. As the season progresses, Arsenal’s hopes of securing the Premier League title are starting to look increasingly difficult, and fans are calling for changes in both tactics and personnel.

Arsenal initially took control of the match with goals from Gabriel Martinelli and Kai Havertz. Martinelli’s goal was a fine finish that put the Gunners ahead, and Havertz followed suit with a well-taken strike that gave them a commanding lead. However, despite Arsenal’s early dominance, Villa fought back in the second half, scoring two goals in quick succession to level the game at 2-2. Youri Tielemans scored first for Villa, and Ollie Watkins followed suit with a goal that ensured the visitors took a share of the spoils. The equalizer, which came in the 68th minute, has been widely attributed to Thomas Partey’s failure to track his man in the box, leading to a lapse in defensive concentration that allowed Villa to pounce.

The decision to start Partey at right-back has been widely criticized by Arsenal supporters. Partey is primarily a central midfielder and is not known for his defensive abilities in wide areas. His positioning at right-back was seen as an experiment by Arteta, one that ultimately failed to deliver the desired results. Fans were quick to voice their frustration, with many questioning why a more natural right-back was not selected in his place. Some fans went as far as to say that Arteta should never again experiment with Partey in a defensive role, citing his lack of defensive awareness and positional discipline as major drawbacks. The criticism was particularly intense after Partey was directly involved in Villa’s equalizer, with his failure to track his man in the box being a key factor in the goal.

Arsenal fans took to social media in droves, voicing their displeasure with Partey’s performance at right-back. One fan tweeted, “Thomas Partey at right-back. It’s not working. It will never work. Try someone else. Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again but expecting a different outcome.” Another fan echoed these sentiments, saying, “I just hope today will be the last day we see Partey at right-back, that equalizer was on him.” The frustration was palpable, as fans felt that the decision to play Partey out of position was detrimental to both the player and the team.

While Partey did win the majority of his duels during the match, his overall contribution was not enough to make up for his defensive lapses. One of the most glaring mistakes came when Partey lost possession 18 times during the game, including a particularly poor throw-in straight to Watkins, which immediately put Arsenal under unnecessary pressure. This turnover, coupled with his inability to close down Villa’s attackers in key moments, led to questions about Arteta’s tactical approach and whether it was the right decision to play Partey at right-back in the first place.

Mikel Arteta’s decision to experiment with Thomas Partey at right-back was largely influenced by the ongoing injury crisis at the club. With William Saliba sidelined and several other defensive options unavailable, Arteta was forced to make changes to his lineup. While it is understandable that Arteta had to adapt his team to deal with these injuries, the decision to play Partey in an unfamiliar position has not paid off. The Gunners have now dropped valuable points in the title race, and the mistake seems even more significant in hindsight. The fact that Partey is not naturally suited to a defensive role at right-back raises further doubts about whether this experiment should continue.

Although the criticism of Partey’s performance is harsh, it is important to remember that Arteta’s hands are tied due to the club’s injury problems. The manager is doing his best to make the most of the available resources, but the lack of a natural right-back and the absence of other defensive options have forced him into making difficult decisions. However, many Arsenal fans believe that Arteta must now re-evaluate his approach and find a solution that does not involve playing a central midfielder out of position. The importance of having a reliable and competent defensive unit cannot be overstated, especially in a title race where every point matters.

Following the match, Paul Merson, a former Arsenal player and pundit, also weighed in on the performance, blaming one player for the dropped points against Villa. Merson stated that Aston Villa should never have come back into the game and placed the blame squarely on one individual for the equalizer. While Merson did not explicitly name Partey, it was clear that he was referring to the midfielder’s defensive error, which led to Villa’s equalizing goal. Merson’s comments added fuel to the fire, with fans already expressing their frustration with Arteta’s decision to start Partey at right-back.

The result against Villa has certainly been a blow to Arsenal’s Premier League title hopes. With Liverpool extending their lead at the top of the table, Arsenal now finds themselves in a position where they must play catch-up if they are to remain in the title race. There are still 16 games left to play, but the margin for error is rapidly decreasing. Arsenal’s inability to convert a two-goal lead into a victory at home has raised serious questions about the team’s mentality and whether they have the necessary quality to go all the way this season. The title race is expected to be tight, and every dropped point could prove to be costly.

Mikel Arteta’s tactical decisions and team selections will come under increasing scrutiny as the season progresses. The manager’s experiment with Thomas Partey at right-back has raised doubts about his ability to make the right choices in key moments. Arsenal fans are calling for more consistency in both tactics and personnel, particularly in the defensive department. Arteta will need to find a way to shore up his defense and ensure that such lapses in concentration do not happen again. While Partey’s performance may have been a key factor in the draw, it is clear that Arsenal as a team need to improve if they are to challenge for the title.

Arsenal’s attention now turns to their upcoming fixtures, where they will need to bounce back from this disappointing result. The team’s focus must be on getting back to winning ways and ensuring that they do not slip further behind Liverpool. With a congested schedule ahead, Arteta will need to make the right decisions and ensure that his players are fully focused on the task at hand. Whether or not he continues with his experiment of playing Partey at right-back remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Arsenal’s title hopes will depend on their ability to learn from their mistakes and respond to adversity.

In conclusion, Arsenal’s 2-2 draw against Aston Villa has highlighted several areas where the team needs to improve, particularly in terms of defensive discipline and tactical decision-making. Mikel Arteta’s experiment with Thomas Partey at right-back has been widely criticized, with many fans calling for the manager to stop playing the midfielder in a defensive role. While the injury crisis at the club has forced Arteta into making difficult decisions, it is clear that Arsenal cannot afford to continue with such experiments if they are to remain competitive in the Premier League title race. The Gunners must now regroup, learn from their mistakes, and focus on securing a positive result in their upcoming matches if they are to keep their title hopes alive.