Arteta is killing the team I stressed myself to build,if not how can you bench a world-class player for someone that is not even suppose to be playing for Burnley, This is not the legacy I left behind’: Arsene Wenger tells Arteta to bench £70m player against Newcastle if truly He wants to earn His respect
Arsenal faced a highly anticipated Champions League Round of 16 clash against Porto, with expectations high due to their stellar Premier League performance. However, the game unfolded differently than anticipated, surprising both fans and pundits. The match lacked stellar football from both sides, and despite Arsenal’s possession struggles, Porto managed to secure a late victory with Wenderson Galeno’s 94th-minute goal.
While this setback doesn’t shatter Arsenal’s European aspirations, it does complicate their path to success. Notably, two players, usually shining stars for the Gunners, faced criticism for their ineffective contributions.
Bukayo Saka, typically a standout player, had a lackluster performance against Porto. Despite recent excellent form, he received a low rating of 5/10, with minimal impact, a disappointing expected goals figure, and a lack of accurate crosses. Saka’s struggles raised doubts about his ‘world-class’ status in recent discussions.
Similarly, Gabriel Martinelli, tasked with making an impact from the left flank, failed to leave a mark on the game. Despite a standout performance in the previous match, Martinelli received a modest rating of 5/10, described as quiet with minimal expected assists, no shots, and a high number of unsuccessful dribbles.
The disappointing performances of Saka and Martinelli underscored Arsenal’s struggles in the attacking third. As they gear up for the second leg against Porto at the Emirates Stadium on March 12th, the Gunners face the crucial task of rectifying their mistakes and reclaiming their form. The upcoming match puts pressure on Arsenal’s attackers to deliver a vastly improved performance on home turf, seeking redemption from their disappointing display.
