Mikel Arteta sent warning over two Arsenal players who cannot start together

Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal, gestures during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Manchester City at Emirates Stadium on September 21, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

Theo Walcott wants to see Mikel Arteta be more adventurous with his midfield selections — and believes two of Arsenal’s summer signings may not be able to start together.

The former forward was speaking after the Gunners’ 1-1 draw with Manchester City at the Emirates on Sunday. Erling Haaland opened the scoring for the visitors in the first half before Gabriel Martinelli struck late to salvage a point for Arsenal.

The draw leaves Arteta’s side five points behind leaders Liverpool. It was also the second time this season Arsenal have looked blunt against a potential title rival, following their 1-0 defeat at Anfield earlier in the campaign.

With Martin Ødegaard absent, Arteta opted for energy and physicality in midfield rather than creativity. Mikel Merino started alongside Martín Zubimendi and Declan Rice.

The decision drew criticism afterwards, particularly with new summer signing Eberechi Eze among the substitutes.

Speaking on Match of the Day , Walcott suggested that with Rice and Zubimendi already established, Arteta may need to rethink the balance of his midfield.

“There are a number of players who like to start in that position,” he said. “Merino isn’t that No10, and I’d like to see someone like Eze up there who is going to be a bit more creative.

“We’ve got some similar players and a lot of left-footers as well. Merino and Zubimendi are both left-footed and very similar in that sense. Sometimes, for me, they get in each other’s way. The balance isn’t right.”

Despite dominating possession, Arsenal created few clear chances against City. Martinelli’s late goal eventually rewarded Arteta’s substitutions, but Walcott questioned the manager’s initial approach.

“My question would be, why did it take until the 90th minute for Arsenal to go on the offensive? Why not from the start?

“I’m not normally critical of Arteta, but it feels like he got away with one today. It felt like he admitted he made a mistake with his team selection by making two subs at half-time, while his other changes came really late on.”