Arsenal show their squad depth again as dem beat Newcastle United 2-1 for St. James’ Park on Sunday, close gap on Liverpool for Premier League table.
Nick Woltemade give Newcastle lead for 34th minute, but Mikel Merino equalise for 84th before Gabriel Magalhaes score dramatic 96th-minute winner.
After match, Mikel Arteta yarn for BBC MOTD:
“The players wey enter from bench change the game. Martin and Martinelli bring mad intensity. And Mikel [Merino] – he be massive goal threat from midfield, na him win us the match.”
Some fans dey doubt Merino as defensive option before, but Arteta don defend am steady – this goal don prove him point.
Arsenal squad depth – strongest for Premier League?
Arteta flex him bench strength as William Saliba enter replace Cristhian Mosquera second half. Arsenal get at least seven players wey fit play centre-back comfortably.
Kai Havertz go soon return join Viktor Gyokeres as striking option. For wing, Bukayo Saka still be key man, but Arteta fit rotate with Noni Madueke, while Martinelli, Leandro Trossard and Eberechi Eze dey available for left flank.
Eze sef fit push Odegaard for attacking midfield slot. Compared to Liverpool wey still get squad holes, Arsenal depth strong pass.
Title race – pressure dey on Arteta
This na Arteta sixth year as Arsenal boss, and he don get full time and money build the squad wey he want. After back-to-back 2nd place finish, fans dey expect silverware this season.
Liverpool don also spend big, but Arne Slot still dey new for England, unlike Arteta wey don set him system since 2019.
With squad wey balance front and back, this season na “now or never” for Arteta to deliver major trophy for Emirates.