Arteta may be sacked by Arsenal after ‘ludicrous’ decisions – pundit

Football Insider

·7 May 2021

Arteta may be sacked by Arsenal after ‘ludicrous’ decisions – pundit

Noel Whelan has claimed Mikel Arteta is under threat of being sacked by Arsenal following their exit from the Europa League.

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former Premier League striker ripped into the Spaniard’s decision to sub Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang off and bring Alexandre Lacazette on with just 10 minutes left to play against Villareal.

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The Gunners played out a 0-0 draw on Thursday, resulting in a 2-1 aggregate defeat.

Villarreal progress, as we are eliminated at the semi-final stage. 🏆 #UEL
– Thursday, 6 May 2021

As quoted by Sky Sports, Arteta insisted he would prove himself as the right man for the Gunners job amid the disappointment.

Asked if he thought Arsenal would consider sacking Arteta before next season, Whelan told Football Insider assistant editor Russell Edge: “Yes, they will be. I think he proved himself last night that he got his tactics completely wrong.

“He got the team formation completely wrong too. Why would you take Aubameyang off when he has hit the post twice when you need to score a goal?

“Why are you not playing your top scorer in Lacazette? To me, this is ludicrous. It’s absolutely ridiculous to put him on for 10 minutes.

“Really bad decision making. Really not sure what he was thinking and an opportunity gone. They just weren’t good enough, it’s as simple as that. A team that looked bang average against a very bang average Villareal side.

“That’s Europe gone for them as well. I very much doubt they’re not going to get in the Champions League or any kind of European competition. Sitting ninth at the minute, better teams above them.

“They’re showing that they’ve got a massive rebuilding process that needs to be done at the football club.”

Arteta replaced Unai Emery, who is now in charge of Villareal, back in December 2019.