Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Arsenal, Champions League, Football, Mikel Arteta, PSV, William Saliba, Fan Reactions
Joe Adams
Topics: Arsenal, Champions League, Football, Mikel Arteta, PSV, William Saliba, Fan Reactions
Arsenal fans have been left baffled by one of Mikel Arteta's decisions during their draw against PSV Eindhoven.
The Gunners played out a 1-1 stalemate in their final group-stage game of the Champions League, with Yorbe Vertessen's strike cancelling out Eddie Nketiah's first half goal.
Fortunately, there was very little pressure on the north London side, having already secured top spot of Group B following a comprehensive 6-0 victory over Lens.
However, fans couldn't believe Arteta's tactical decision around the hour mark, labelling it 'ridiculous'.
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Mikel Arteta chose a centre-back pairing of William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes for the match, his first-choice pairing in that position.
At first glance, it would appear to be a strange decision when considering the low stakes of the occasion, with many supporters insisting the pair should have been given a rest.
But fans were even more shocked by Arteta's substitutes in the second-half.
The Spaniard chose to bring on captain Martin Odegaard, Ben White and Declan Rice in the 60th minute - despite having academy products Ethan Nwaneri, Lino Sousa and Reull Walters on the bench.
Gabriel Jesus and Emile Smith-Rowe then came on with three minutes of normal time to play, further baffling supporters.
Taking to social media to express their frustration, one person tweeted: "Wtf are we doing? Give those kids a chance FFS it means literally nothing."
Another added: "What’s the actual point I don’t get it, give the youth the run out at least, ridiculous decisions."
A third chimed in: "Why the hell are you risky 1st team players! You have 3 kids on the bench.. this is a nothing game give them experience..."
While a fourth wrote: "Why… this game is meaningless. We never give the academy kids a chance. Walters, ESR, Nwaneri all should guaranteed play.."