Arsenal legend David Seaman has urged Mikel Arteta to make a bold selection decision ahead of Wednesday’s game against Brentford and drop one of his most trusted players.
The Gunners emerged from Stamford Bridge on Sunday with a creditable 1-1 draw which saw them maintain their six point lead over their London rivals.
Given the game came of on the heels of last week’s win over Tottenham and a heavyweight Champions League fixture against Bayern Munich, the concession of two points against 10 men was far from a disaster.
Arteta, however, was left ruing the failure to convert a numerical advantage into a win would that have put extra breathing space between the current league leaders and the chasing pack.
With Viktor Gyokeres and Gabriel Jesus to call upon again, the Arsenal manager now has a wealth of attacking talent from which to choose from, even before the return to full fitness of Kai Havertz.
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Mikel Merino has filled in admirably up front in recent weeks, as he did last season, and produced the equaliser with a trademark far post header on the hour mark.
Despite another valuable contribution, Seaman feels that summer signing Gyokeres should start up front from now on, even if Merino provides a level of tactical flexibility that his Sweden international teammate cannot.
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‘He has (done a decent job) but when you look at Merino he’s more of a false nine, he drops back quite a lot,’ the former England goalkeeper told talkSPORT.
‘When you’ve got Gyokeres in there he’s an out and out striker he gives you that option of holding the ball up and letting us get out.
‘It depends and it’s a great option to have. But Gyokeres he was so close yesterday to getting that matchwinner with Timber getting in way as he often does.
‘It was a shame but I think it depends on what sort of style are Arsenal going to play. Are they going to play with an out and out striker or do they want to pack the midfield that little bit more?
Metro at the Match: Arsenal 3-1 Bayern Munich
From the Emirates, Metro’s Ben Fleming breaks down the winners and losers from Arsenal’s statement victory over Bayern.
Jurrien Timber excels again
Gary Neville recently lauded Timber as one of the best full-backs in the world, and it’s easy to see why. Got Arsenal’s opener and was superb in all aspects of the game, it’s no coincidence that Michael Olise’s assist for the opening goal came after he drifted over he opposite flank.
Bukayo Saka singled out
The Arsenal forward provided the assist for Timber’s opener, but in open play, found himself man-marked to within an inch of his life by several Bayern players. A reflection of his talent, no doubt, but a problem he will have to learn to deal with on a more than regular basis.
Tricky night for Myles Lewis-Skelly
Lewis-Skelly will need to do far more than this if he is to force his way back ahead of Riccardo Calafiori at left-back. The 19-year-old struggled against Olise when he moved to the left flank and completed just seven of his 12 passes before making way in the 68th minute.
Arsenal match ratings: Raya 7, Timber 9, Saliba 7, Mosquera 7, Lewis-Skelly 6, Rice 8, Zubimendi 7, Eze 6, Saka 7, Trossard 6, Merino 7. Subs: Martinelli 7, Calafiori 7, White N/A, Odegaard N/A.
Lennart Karl, remember the name
Harry Kane had talked up the talents of 17-year-old Karl pre-match, and the German certainly delivered on the hype. Deployed in the No10 role, the teenager was a hive of energy and rounded off a superb Bayern move for their first goal.
Harry Kane quiet on Emirates return
Kane won’t be the last striker to enjoy a quiet night up against this Arsenal backline. At times, the England captain was most involved when he was forced to track back well into his side’s half to stop Saka getting on the ball.
A reminder that Arsenal are still yet to concede at home in the group/league phase of the Champions League since returning under Arteta in the 2023–24 season.
Bayern Munich match ratings: Neuer 5, Laimer 6, Tah 6, Upamecano 5, Stanisic 6, Kimmich 6, Pavlovic 6, Olise 7, Karl 7, Gnabry 5, Kane 5. Subs: Bischof 6, Jackson 5, Goretzka N/A, Guerreiro N/A, Kim N/A.
‘If that’s what you want to do then Merino stays in there but for me I’d play Gyokeres.’
Those sentiments were echoed by Jamie Carragher who believes both Havertz and Merino are more suited to the type of team Arteta has attempted to build over the course of his six-year reign.
He told Sky Sports: ‘I have said this before, about Havertz, I always thought if he was fit Havertz would be the centre forward in this team, maybe not Gyokeres.
‘Gyokeres came on today, and was probably disappointed he didn’t get the winner. But it will be very interesting to see how long it takes Mikel Arteta to put him fully back into the team or if he sticks with Merino because he’s been absolutely outstanding when Gyokeres has been out.’