Ahead of the north London derby on Sunday, Arsenal legend Ian Wright has called on Mikel Arteta to drop Willian from the starting lineup.
Ian Wright thinks it’s time for Mikel Arteta to drop Willian with the north London derby just days away.
The Brazilian forward joined the Gunners on a free transfer from fellow London rivals Chelsea. He boasts a wealth of experience and title-winning credentials but has made no real impact in the Arsenal lineup.
Asides from two assists on his debut against Fulham and one more in the 2-1 loss to Wolves last Sunday, Willian is yet to really impress for the Gunners and is yet to open his goalscoring account.
Under Arteta, Arsenal have made their worst start to a League season and there is a danger it could get worse with high-flying Tottenham around the corner.
Regardless of Spurs’ impressive form, Wright wants to see Arsenal attack their rivals from the start and has called on Mikel Arteta to drop ‘negative’ Willian from the starting XI.
“I’d try to throw something else into the mix, Reiss Nelson or even [Bukayo] Saka on the right,” he said on the Wrighty’s House Podcast.
“But Saka’s going to be on the left so I’d put Reiss Nelson on the right instead of Willian because we know what Willian’s going to do.”
“For me he’s been a little bit negative with the way he’s been playing, a lot of backwards passing. You need somebody who can at least get back and progress the ball.”
“If Saka can go and really put pressure on [Serge] Aurier, that’s where I think, if we’re going to get any kind of joy, then I think Saka’s got to go up there and put pressure on him, then [Granit] Xhaka can pull in on the left, just to put that body in there, then [Mohamed] Elneny should hold.”
Wright also added that he has never been this afraid of a north London derby.
“This is the first one I’m going to where I am afraid.”
“I’m afraid simply because of where Tottenham are at the moment and we can’t ignore where they are at the moment, they’re in the ascendency.”
Be sure not to miss out on the latest news about Arsenal
Download our brand new App and follow your favorite players, clubs, and much more
