Former Manchester City star, Micah Richards, has raised concerns regarding Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta’s midfield tactics and the role of midfielder Thomas Partey. This comes after the Gunners’ 2-1 victory over Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Saturday.
Richards believes that Arteta still needs to find the right tactics for Arsenal’s midfield, especially considering Partey’s performance as a right-back in the match against Nottingham Forest. He suggests that the arrival of Declan Rice may have hindered Partey’s impact in the midfield.
Arsenal secured a win at the Emirates Stadium, with goals from Eddie Nketiah and Bukayo Saka, while Taiwo Awoniyi managed to score one for the visitors.
During an interview on BBC’s Match of the Day, Richards shared his thoughts on Arteta’s midfield tactics, stating, “I’m not sure it worked out today. Partey started out in that right-back role, and I could see the intent from the start of the game.”
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Richards explained that the intention was for Partey to move inside, creating space for Saka to receive the ball in one-on-one situations or make runs over the top. However, he criticized Arsenal’s lack of pace and fluidity in their gameplay, stating that they were moving the ball too slowly from left to right. He emphasized the importance of quickly transitioning the ball from right to left and vice versa to exploit key areas and create scoring opportunities.
While acknowledging that the win was a positive result for Arsenal, Richards expressed doubts about the effectiveness of the midfield tactics. He mentioned the challenge of integrating both Rice and Partey into the system, stating, “People are asking how they are going to fit Rice and Partey into this system. They tried it today, and they’ve won, but I don’t believe it worked exactly how they wanted it to work.”
Richards suggested that some adjustments may be necessary, considering that it was only the first game of the season. He praised Partey’s performance on the ball but questioned the overall fluidity of the team’s play.
By offering these insights, Richards provides a unique perspective on Arsenal’s midfield tactics and the role of Thomas Partey. His experience as a former professional footballer and his knowledge of the game make his analysis valuable and thought-provoking.
It remains to be seen whether Arteta will take Richards’ concerns into account and make the necessary adjustments to optimize Arsenal’s midfield. As the season progresses, fans and pundits alike will be closely watching how the team evolves and adapts to ensure a successful campaign.
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In conclusion, Micah Richards has expressed his concerns over Mikel Arteta’s midfield tactics and the role of Thomas Partey following Arsenal’s victory over Nottingham Forest. Richards believes that Arteta needs to find the right balance in the midfield and suggests that the arrival of Declan Rice may have affected Partey’s performance. While Arsenal secured a win, Richards emphasizes the need for faster and more fluid gameplay. His insights provide valuable analysis and ignite discussions about the team’s tactics moving forward.
