{"id":3139,"date":"2024-04-14T18:31:28","date_gmt":"2024-04-14T18:31:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/internationalpulse.net\/?p=3139"},"modified":"2024-04-14T18:31:28","modified_gmt":"2024-04-14T18:31:28","slug":"arsenal-hero-hits-out-at-mikel-arteta-team-selection-and-declares-title-chances-gone-football","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/internationalpulse.net\/?p=3139","title":{"rendered":"Arsenal hero hits out at Mikel Arteta team selection and declares title chances ‘gone’ | Football"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\"FBL-ENG-PR-ARSENAL-ASTON\n<\/div>

Arsenal suffered a rare, and significant, home defeat (Picture: Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Paul Merson declared Arsenal\u2019s Premier League title chances \u2018100 per cent gone\u2019 after defeat to Aston Villa, criticising Mikel Arteta\u2019s team selection in the surprise loss.<\/p>\n

The Gunners spurned a number of good chances to score and were eventually beaten 2-0 at The Emirates by Villa, led by their former manager Unai Emery.<\/p>\n

Sunday proved to be a dream day for Manchester City in the title race, with Liverpool also beaten at home by Crystal Palace.<\/p>\n

Pep Guardiola\u2019s side started the day two points clear at the top of the table and that is where they remain after losses for their two rivals and now the champions are clear favourites to retain their title.<\/p>\n

Arsenal may only be two points behind the leaders, but Merson thinks their race is run, such is the quality of Manchester City.<\/p>\n

\u2018For me, it\u2019s gone. 100 per cent,\u2019 Merson told Sky Sports. \u2018Because they\u2019re chasing the best team in the world down, the best team in the world that\u2019s done it year in and year out. <\/p>\n

\u2018Unbeaten in 17, they just reel them off. If it was someone else they were chasing down, but I\u2019ve seen this team too many times.\u2019<\/p>\n

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\"FBL-ENG-PR-ARSENAL-ASTON\n<\/div>

Mikel Arteta\u2019s side created chances but fell short against Aston Villa (Picture: Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Merson felt made some unwise changes to his starting XI, believing Jorginho and Gabriel Martinelli should have been in the side and Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Jesus available on the bench.<\/p>\n

\u2018I said before the game I didn\u2019t like Arteta\u2019s decision with the team he picked,\u2019 said the former Arsenal forward.<\/p>\n

\u2018Keep on playing the same team that wins every week, don\u2019t have the wool pulled over your eyes for a 25-minute cameo against Bayern Munich. Jesus comes on and does well and he moves Havertz.<\/p>\n

\u2018They\u2019ve won nine of 10 with Jorginho and Havertz playing where they were. It was a bench today that if it wasn\u2019t going right, he didn\u2019t have anyone. Usually, you have Trossard and Jesus to come on.<\/p>\n

\u2018He did it against Southampton last season when he left Jorginho out last season. The pressure gets to everybody. That\u2019s where you need a Pep Guardiola who keeps cool.\u2019<\/p>\n

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\n\tMORE : Mikel Arteta urges Arsenal players to \u2018respond\u2019 to Aston Villa defeat as Manchester City take lead in title race
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\n\tMORE : \u2018Have to do better!\u2019 \u2013 Andy Robertson slams Liverpool forwards after defeat to Crystal Palace
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