Mikel Arteta has explained why Emile Smith Rowe and Nuno Tavares got the nod over Gabriel Martinelli and Cedric Soares against Newcastle United on Monday night.
As Tottenham followed up their win over the Gunners in the North London derby by beating Burnley on Sunday, the Lilywhites have now temporarily climbed above the Gunners in the table. Nevertheless, it's still in Arsenal 's control as victories over Newcastle and then Everton on the final day will get the job done.
Arteta made a few changes to alter the Gunners' fortunes, two of which were on the left-hand side, with Tavares and Smith Rowe coming in for Soares and Martinelli. Speaking to Sky Sports about that decision before the game, he said: "For different reasons [they were selected]. One for issues that we had, for recoveries we had after the Spurs game. They’re all different."
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But Manchester United legend turned Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville has insisted that the changes were likely more a tactical switch: "He [Tavares] can be erratic," he said before the game on Monday Night Football.
"It’s a stronger, quicker back four. Is White fit? Is Gabriel fit? We know Tomiyasu is fit, if that back four is fit and play to their ability, it’ll be difficult for Newcastle even though they’ve got pace against them.
"Smith Rowe is probably more responsible in front of Tavares, Martinelli - great talent - but you can see he’s drilling that back four, Steve Round, he knows that’s where the match is won and lost. Arsenal have goals in them but they have to keep Newcastle at bay, the fans in this stadium once they're up it’ll be a long old night."
It'll be a huge confidence booster for Arsenal moving forward if they can get back into Europe's most elite competition, but they still have a lot of work to do.
