Arteta must drop Arsenal midfielder against Tottenham | OneFootball

Arsenal bowed out of the FA Cup in the third round for the second season running yesterday.

The Gunners went into the game in inconsistent form, having failed to win their previous two outings against Newcastle United and Brighton & Hove Albion.

They had a mixed opening half against United, where they did not provide any significant attacking threat.

United pounced on a defensive mistake to score in the 52nd minute, but the Gunners got a huge advantage soon after with Diogo Dalot’s sending-off.

Gabriel Magalhaes made amends for his defensive error with the equaliser, but Arsenal failed to score the winner. Martin Odegaard missed a glorious chance from the penalty spot.

Declan Rice was twice denied by exceptional saves from Altay Bayindir. Kai Havertz had a day to forget. He missed two big chances before squandering a penalty in the shoot-out.

Havertz was undoubtedly the worst player on the pitch, but Mikel Merino was also poor before his 73rd-minute substitution.

The Spaniard started alongside Jorginho and Martin Odegaard in the centre of the park, but he had a poor outing with just 30 touches and 14 passes completed.

Merino half of his ten duels and squandered possession on nine occasions.

It was unsurprising that Rice replaced him. The Englishman had a greater influence on the game and could have scored if not for Bayindir’s heroics in the United goal.

Arsenal have a huge derby clash against Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League on Wednesday, and Merino must be dropped to the bench.

Stats from Transfermarkt.com & Sofascore.com.