Arteta must drop the 4/10 Arsenal star who looked like a new Ozil vs Bournemouth

0 1 3 minutes read

Arteta must drop the 4/10 Arsenal star who looked like a new Ozil vs Bournemouth

There would be no Reiss Nelson-style heroics against Bournemouth this time for Arsenal, with the Premier League leaders suffering a third defeat in four games on Saturday afternoon.

Alex Scott’s close range proved to be the difference after Viktor Gyokeres had earlier canceled out Eli Junior Kroupi’s goal, with the Gunners finishing second best amid a tense atmosphere at the Emirates.

While Mikel Arteta’s men recorded 15 shots in total, opposition stopper Djordje Petrovic was forced to make just two saves, as he remained unchallenged throughout the 90 minutes.

That highlighted another poor performance from the home side, with the north Londoners facing a barrage at the other end of the pitch.

How Arteta got Arsenal’s attacking options wrong

Let’s start with the good stuff, with that man Gyokeres scoring for the second Premier League game in a row, converting from the penalty spot after Ryan Christie’s handball inside the area.

Now up to 18 goals for the season in all competitions, the Swede was a threat all afternoon, it has to be said, running the channels and easing the Cherries’ defence, although he shot wide after creating space for himself late on.

The 27-year-old did his best, although little help came from the flanks, with Gabriel Martinelli producing an impressive performance after recording just eight touches in 54 minutes on the left wing.

The Brazilian played his part in the win over Kai Havertz in midweek, however this was a reminder of why he has just one league goal this season, as he did not play in the final third.

On the other hand, former Chelsea player, Noni Madueke, was no better, Bukayo Saka’s student held his own after the break losing the ball 12 times in his 30 touches.

Arsenal vs B’mouth player ratings
The player	Average
GK-Raya	5/10
RB – White	4/10
CB – We are sorry	5/10
CB – Gabriel	7/10
LB – Lewis-Skelly	6/10
CM – Zubimendi	4/10
CM – Rice	8/10
RW – Madueke	5/10
AM – Havertz	4/10
LW – Martinelli	3/10
ST – Gyokeres	7/10

When you consider that he and Martinelli scored just three league goals between them in 2025/26, it’s hard to know why Arteta has persisted with them, especially with the build-up of hype around 16-year-old sensation Max Dowman.

Problems are widespread for the Gunners, with tenth place also remaining the main talking point in north London.

The Arsenal star looked like Ozil in his later years vs Bournemouth

With Martin Odegaard absent and out of form, and with Eberechi Eze only recently returning to the matchday squad, Saturday looked like an opportunity for the aforementioned Havertz to step down in that starting role behind Gyokeres.

The pair combined well for the striker’s goal at Southampton in the FA Cup, while Havertz headed home against Sporting CP last time out, showing real composure to head home in extra time.

There was merit in Arteta’s decision to field Germany from the start against Andoni Iraola’s side, albeit to the Gunners’ dismay, as the 27-year-old looked on pace before his 54th-minute withdrawal.

Indeed, there was a sense of Mesut Ozil in his performance, and not in a good way, with Havertz looking very much opposed to the abuse and collapse of the away side.

That was very much the case with Ozil in his final years at the Emirates, a World Cup winner who needed something of a free role in an era when such luxuries were rarely available.

In his last Premier League campaign in 2019/2020, for example, the retired player was hit 1.1 times per game, won only 44% of his total duels and won only 0.4 times per game in the final third.

Against Bournemouth, on the other hand, his partner Havertz had a sensation similar to his muted display, making three passes – more than any player on the pitch – while winning only three of his 12 duels.

On the ball as well, the former Chelsea player has also been effective, giving the ball away ten times with just 37 touches, a number that was far less than his teammate David Raya’s (60).

Those found by the Gunners may have been looking for a change in personnel, amid Odegaard’s woes, however Havertz did not take advantage of his opportunity, being a true passenger, not helping them in attack or supporting the midfielder.