Arsenal news: Gunners star told he 'overstepped the mark' as finger of blame pointed at boss

Arsenal may have salvaged a point in the dying seconds against Manchester City, but the Gunners will look at the result as two crucial points dropped. Beating Pep Guardiola's side on Sunday afternoon was never going to be easy, despite Arsenal winning the same fixture5-1 last season at the Emirates Stadium.

Mikel Arteta's starting line-up immediately left fans both stunned and disgruntled, as he opted for a midfieldheavily lacking in creativity, with Mikel Merino and Declan Rice accompanying Martin Zubimendi. That's despite Arsenal boasting a plethora of more exciting and creative options on the bench.

Frustrations in N5 became even more apparent after Erling Haaland gave the visitors the lead in the ninth minute, as Arteta’s men struggled to create chances. The Spanish manager decided he had seen enough at half-time and brought on England duo Eberechi Eze and Bukayo Saka for Merino and the injured Noni Madueke.

The north Londoners gave a far better account of themselves in the second half and were rewarded when Eze played late substitute Gabriel Martinelli through on goal, as the Brazilian pulled off a sumptuous chip to salvage a draw, having also scored the winner against Athletic Club in midweek.

Mirror Football now takes a look at two talking points surrounding the game and the result as Arsenal fell five points behind league leaders Liverpool, though they remain in second place.

READ MORE: Eberechi Eze's three-word message after Arsenal star was benched vs Man City

READ MORE: Arsenal will 'make summer signing redundant' as Mikel Arteta blasted for Man City decision

Arteta 'to blame' if Arsenal don't win title

Former Sky Sports presenter Richard Keys was among the many to take aim at Arteta’s team selection, believing the manager’s cautiousness and desire not to lose games will cost Arsenal the Premier League title this season.

Keys said on beIN Sports: "I'm astounded. I said to you last week if they don't win the title he'll [Arteta] be the reason! You’ve got to start Eze, unless he’s injured, you have to be starting Eze in this game and every game."

After fellow pundit Andy Gray questioned why Arteta started Leandro Trossard over Eze or Martinelli, Keys added: "When you’re playing at home, you’ve got Eze, who's a crowd pleaser, set the place on fire. You’ve spent big money on him, and you’re playing Trossard, he’s a sub, he’s not even first on."

Arteta, perhaps having realised his error, appeared agitated in his post-match press conference when asked why he started that particular midfield trio. He said bluntly: “Because I thought it was the best one to start the game. Nobody asked me about the midfield three in Bilbao.”

Former Crystal Palace hero and £67.5million signing Eze had only been used on the left wing until his appearance against City, where he looked far more dangerous in the No. 10 role. Arteta explained: “Today he played a little bit more shifted to the right and there was a reason for that.

“When play shifted from the left whether it’s as an attacking midfielder, as a winger coming into that space as well, he’s someone that is very, very efficient and very creative. We know that, that’s why we brought him in. So we’re using him in different spaces.”

Arsenal skipper 'overstepped the mark'

Caught out of position for Haaland’s opener was acting Arsenal captain Gabriel Magalhaes, who has otherwise been imperious over the past two years or so. The central defender has been wearing the armband recently due to Saka and Martin Odegaard’s respective injuries.

Gabriel utilised his newfound powers by passionately arguing his point with referee Stuart Attwell, especially after Trossard was at risk of being sent off for throwing the ball at City captain Bernardo Silva.

But former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee Keith Hackett believes the Brazilian overstepped the mark, and insists that he would have handed Gabriel a yellow for challenging the referee on too many occasions.

Speaking to Football Insider, Hackett said: “I thought the referee, Stuart Attwell, had a really good game. The only problem was that the captain [Gabriel] overstepped the mark.

“He was too vociferous. He wouldn’t let anything go. Arsenal’s Arteta needs to have a word with his captain, to say, ‘Come off the pace a bit’. As captain, having a link with the referee to communicate is fine, but the referee also has the power to issue a yellow card if he oversteps the mark.

“He’s potentially at risk in the future, despite the knowledge that he can talk to the referee, that his over-the-top attitude can get him in trouble. The PGMOL might need to do more work with the captains. That could be a series of visits, so that there is more clarity over when they can communicate with referees.”

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