Arteta blamed for big Jorginho mistake which could cost Arsenal title

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta made an “unbelievable” error with his team selection against Southampton last Friday, according to Paul Merson. The former Gunners hero believes it was a huge mistake not to select Jorginho for the visit of Saints.

Arsenal could only draw 3-3 with the bottom-of-the-table club in a result which may ultimately cost them the Premier League title. Arteta’s side must realistically avoid defeat at rivals Manchester City on Wednesday to maintain their chances of ending their 19-year wait to be on top of English football.

Southampton raced into a 2-0 lead at the Emirates and made it 3-1 midway through the second half to make Arsenal’s task doubly harder. The hosts did fight back with two late goals to grab a point but nothing short of victory would have sufficed.

Granit Xhaka was unavailable for the match due to illness. Fabio Vieira, the £35million summer signing from Porto, was drafted in for just his third Premier League start.

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The attacking midfielder had a difficult evening and was on the wrong end of some stick from many of the home faithful. Merson is shocked that Arteta did not pick January signing Jorginho ahead of Vieira.

He claims Southampton would have been satisfied to see the Italian among the substitutes. Merson wrote for Sportskeeda: “Arsenal played Fabio Vieira instead of Jorginho last week, and I thought that was unbelievable. They’ve brought Jorginho in to be a calm head in big matches.

“I didn’t think the game against Southampton was a foregone conclusion, and to keep Jorginho on the bench was a big mistake. Southampton wouldn’t have believed their luck when they saw Jorginho on the bench.

“He sits in, dictates play, and controls games. With Holding playing instead of [William] Saliba, Arsenal needed protection from their midfield – not people getting turned. Arteta hasn’t done a lot wrong this season, but he made a mistake there.”

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Merson won two league titles during his career at Arsenal, including the famous 1989 triumph at Anfield. He is backing his old team to get a valuable point against City at the Etihad.

He added: “If this game ends in a draw, Manchester City will have to win both their games in hand to take the lead. It’s a bit like when you’re 5-3 down in tennis, and you need to hold your nerve and make sure you don’t break. Man City have been outstanding, but people do get nervous and the pressure can get to them.

“Arsenal get too confident at times, and they should have steamrolled West Ham and Southampton. You can’t drop points like that when you’re playing for a league title. They do have the players to hurt Manchester City, however, and I think they can get a result here.”

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