Mikel Arteta explains his call to bench Declan Rice against Nottingham Forest.
Mikel Merino’s hot form sways Arsenal
Arsenal fans didn’t expect to see Declan Rice watching the first whistle from the bench. But, Mikel Arteta had a clear plan. The boss rewarded Mikel Merino’s red-hot form after a great international break with Spain. There, he bagged four goals in two games.
Riding on that confidence, Merino was handed a start. He slotted in smoothly as Arsenal earned a 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest.
The head coach said: “Mikel comes back after scoring four goals in two games with a really high emotional state. I want to use that when a player is in that moment.
“I want to play him because he’s going to bring something different with the qualities that they have and Declan (Rice) comes in and it will have an impact immediately or he’ll play the next game. That’s what we need to try to manage the best possible way.”
Merino’s start gave the Gunners a slightly different look in midfield. His direct play and physical presence brought a fresh edge. Arteta was quick to highlight that these are the kind of calls managers have to make across a long season.
For the Gunners’ boss, it was simple, if a player is on fire, you use that energy. The Spanish midfielder proved his boss right with a tidy display.
Arteta has confidence in Declan Rice despite rotation
Declan Rice may have started from the bench, but his importance hasn’t dipped one bit. Arteta said that it was just normal rotation. He suggested the player is likely to come back in to the starting XI. Arsenal have had plenty of injury headaches over the past few seasons. So, keeping big names fresh will only be a good thing.
Rice came on later and added his usual calmness. That highlights again that he is still the heartbeat of this midfield. The Englishman is a leader, a ball-winner, and a player Arsenal cannot afford to overwork. With the Gunners chasing trophies on multiple fronts, these kinds of rotations will be key.
Author’s Opinion:
Arteta’s call might have raised eyebrows, but it’s the sort of bold rotation that top sides need. Merino deserved his chance, and Rice will be back in the XI soon enough. This looked less like a gamble and more like smart squad management.
