Arteta: 'Rice trio - Odegaard - Havertz need more time'
"When they play together 55 times, they get along better," said Arteta, combining Rice, Odegaard and Havertz after losing to Man Utd. "Things will go more smoothly, they will understand each other better and dominate better. They need time to integrate and we have to respect that. But I see a lot of positive things, and things I like much more than winning the MLS All Star, even though the results are very different."
After winning the MLS All Star 5-0 in Washington, Arteta used the trio of midfielders Rice, Odegaard and Havertz for the first time - when he played against Man Utd on July 22. Rice played a defensive midfielder instead of Thomas Partey, while Havertz played a left-sided central midfielder instead of Granit Xhaka - who moved to Leverkusen for a fee of $ 27 million this summer. The trio, valued at $260 million by Transfermarkt, was inefficient, leaving the "Gunners" in possession of only 47% of the ball, finishing three times with two shots on target - compared to seven and three for Man Utd in the first 45 minutes.
Not only that, Arsenal's defense also continuously made mistakes. 30 minutes, Bruno Fernandes comfortably walked the ball in the middle of the field and then shot from outside the penalty area with his left foot. Goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale fell slowly so he could not be stopped, although the ball was not dangerous. Six minutes later, it was Gabriel Magalhaes' turn to miss the ball, creating conditions for Jadon Sancho to speed up, rush straight into the penalty area and then hit the roof of the net. With more than one half left, Arsenal could not reverse the situation against Man Utd.
However, Arteta considers the friendly loss to Man Utd as a good opportunity to re-evaluate the whole team, see the weaknesses, continue to improve and minimize mistakes. He also admitted this defeat was a wake-up call, a reminder that Arsenal must improve further, if they want to improve their performance in second place in the Premier League last season.
"You asked me yesterday how difficult or easy the season will be. It will definitely be more difficult, more challenging. The level and preparation of every team is excellent," stressed Arteta.
Similarly, Bukayo Saka thinks that Arsenal need to learn from experience and limit mistakes like in the two goals against Man Utd to reach a higher level than last season. The English winger hardly accepts defeat against Man Utd, even if it is only a friendly match.
On July 26, Arsenal continued their tour of the US with a match against Barca in Los Angeles, then closed the pre-season with a match against Monaco in the annual Emirates Cup friendly on August 2. Four days later, Arteta's teachers and students will meet Man City in the English Super Cup match at Wembley.
