Opinion: After Spurs Loss, Here’s What Arteta Needs to Hear

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·1 August 2025

Opinion: After Spurs Loss, Here’s What Arteta Needs to Hear

Unfortunately, Arsenal failed to win their first North London derby on foreign soil. It is a result that has some Gooners concerned, especially with the new season fast approaching.

There was plenty to dissect from that 1-0 defeat, which got me wondering:If you could give Mikel Arteta one piece of advice before the season begins, what would it be?

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I’ll go first.

Five key issues Arteta must fix before the season starts

He needs to sort the left wingAs is often the case against Spurs, there was a noticeable tilt towards the right wing, leaving the left lacking spark. Gabriel Martinelli continues to raise concerns from an attacking standpoint. It is hard to see what he truly offers this Arsenal side going forward. Arteta must get creative on the left. Whether it is Eberechi Eze (if a deal can be struck with Crystal Palace) or Noni Madueke given a go on the left, Arsenal desperately need to refresh that side of the pitch.

Arsenal dominated possession. Spurs won the game.Sound familiar? It is déjà vu from last season, when the boys regularly bossed possession but failed to find that decisive touch.

Arteta needs to get this side playing to win. Spurs played to win.

Tactical tweaks and smarter rotation needed

Eberechi Eze should arrive sooner rather than later (or the midfield needs restructuring)Martin Odegaard failed to impress against Spurs. He lacks the cutting edge Arsenal so clearly require. Eze, who can dismantle a low block, dribble into chaos, draw fouls or even win penalties, is the ideal antidote. With Manchester United looming in two weeks, Eze must be starting that game. If he is not signed, Arsenal should ditch the two No. 8s setup and play a proper double pivot: Martin Zubimendi alongside Declan Rice. This double central midfield structure is dragging the wingers wide and leaving the midfield off balance. Switch to a proper pivot, let Odegaard operate as a No. 10 (with Ethan Nwaneri breathing down his neck), and focus that central traffic where it hurts in attack.

Play with intensityArsenal need to recapture the electric pace they had when Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko first arrived. Move the ball fast before opposition defences settle after turnovers. That is when Gyökeres, Madueke and Saka can thrive. Also, Arteta must manage Saka wisely, both tactically and physically. He tends to overcarry at times and needs sharper instruction and proper rotation. With Madueke in the mix, there is no excuse to run Saka into the ground.

Set-pieces need work (defending them)Against Spurs, Arsenal looked vulnerable at corners. Two woodwork strikes in the first 25 minutes is a glaring alarm. That is simply not good enough.

There was plenty to take away from that match. Go on then, what about you? What advice would you give Mikel Arteta? Let us know in the comments.

Daniel O

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