Gary Neville has warned Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta he needs to “go back to basics” ahead of a huge Premier League clash with Manchester United on Sunday.
The Gunners hosted Fulham on Saturday after wins in their opening two games, but their early season charge was halted by a 2-2 draw with their London rivals. Having battled back to lead, the hosts were undone by Joao Palhinha’s late equaliser, leaving them two points off early pace-setters Manchester City.
But much of the talk afterwards centres around Arteta’s selection, with Kai Havertz again struggling to make an impact following his £68 million move from Chelsea. A long-term injury to Jurrien Timber has also disrupted the manager’s plans, with Thomas Partey starting in an unfamiliar right-back role against the Cottagers.
And pundit Neville, whose former side United were also unconvincing despite fighting back to beat Nottingham Forest 3-2, thinks Arteta is over-complicating things after spending more than £200 million this summer. He’s also tipped the Gunners to alter their thinking when they host Erik ten Hag and Co.
“I would say that for me, looking at Arsenal, there is this element of experimentation,” he said on Sky Sports. “Full-backs think they can play midfield, midfielders think they can play at full back.
“Thomas Partey is playing half-and-half in a game. Sometimes you need to go back to basics. I’d expect next week Mikel Arteta is going to end that experiment and go with a solid back four.”
And Neville further argued that it was Partey’s position in particular that would be re-assessed: “Move Partey into midfield with Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard,” he continued. “Get back to something which resembles what a team should look like.”
Arsenal have been touted as City’s main challengers again this season, following their summer spending spree. But the acquisition of Havertz is already under scrutiny, with the German forward having failed to score in his three starts so far.
“Arsenal are expected to challenge for the league with the business they have done,” added Neville. “There’s a lot of pressure on Kai Havertz but give the lad a chance and let him settle into the team.”
Both clubs are expected to be busy before they clash at the Emirates, with the two managers expected to sanction a number of club exits before Friday’s 11pm transfer deadline. United in particular are also looking at new signings, but the Gunners too are expected to consider signing defensive cover following Timber’s injury and the departure of Kieran Tierney.
