Mikel Arteta sent clear Arsenal selection message at Atalanta as Man City pick looms

Mikel Arteta watched on as his Arsenal side struggled to create chances against Atalanta ahead of a title bout with Manchester City that requires lethal attacking success

Arsenal went to Atalanta in the knowledge that the bigger fixture lay just days away at Manchester City but it was always important to not lose sight of what was immediately in front of them. A goalless draw is what they got but it delivered plenty of lessons and messages for Arteta to take in.

In the build-up to the game, Mikel Arteta revealed that Martin Odegaard had sustained a significant ankle injury that would see him miss football for a lengthy period. At Tottenham, a game where the Gunners aimed to hit their north London rivals on the counter, his presence was not necessarily missed however that certainly felt different in the Champions League.

Atalanta are of course an odd side, that said with the utmost of respect considering their Europa League champion status. Yet Gian Piero Gasperini baffled sides like Bayer Leverkusen and Liverpool, who were both beaten as his side lifted the trophy, with a man-marking technique.

While Arsenal did well, especially in the first half, to keep the Italians at arm’s length they were unable to create too much. Only two main chances came in the form of Bukayo Saka’s free-kick and Gabriel Martinelli’s sliced effort.

Kai Havertz was deployed in the midfield with Gabriel Jesus operating as the false nine. The pair regularly changed positions on the field but very rarely looked threatening besides a drive from the German into the box which couldn’t be finished off.

Arsenal started the second half in need of the headline story of the evening, David Raya. A brilliant double save from an initial penalty kick from Mateo Retegui meant the Gunners kept their clean sheet.

READ MORE: Atalanta vs Arsenal LIVE: Martinelli misses huge chance after Raya performs heroic penalty save

READ MORE: What Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya did before incredible double-save vs Atalanta

Arteta would make a change to attempt to change the structure of his attack. Leandro Trossard came on for Gabriel Jesus, pushing Havertz again into the centre-forward role and after a further ten minutes, Raheem Sterling came on for Saka – certainly a sign of Manchester City being in the mind of Mikel Arteta.

Sterling would soon after create a massive chance for Gabriel Martinelli who failed to hit the target but it was a positive sign. However, this is a point which we will return to.

Ultimately, Odegaard’s absence was weaved throughout the display. What is less worrisome is that with Manchester City up next, it is not likely that it is the type of game where the Norwegian is typically at the centre of play.

Arsenal will come and likely set up defensively like last season. Yet this is where Martinelli’s miss, the second in the game after his wild attempt in the box in the first half, does send a clear message to Arteta.

Against Man City, Martinelli should not be in the starting line-up. Despite a good off-the-ball work rate, if the Gunners wish to snatch all three points from their title rivals, they need their most efficient players on the field and the Brazilian has simply failed to be that player.

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