Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Arsenal, Mikel Arteta, Ian Wright, Declan Rice, Premier League, Champions League, William Saliba
Tom Jenkins
Topics: Arsenal, Mikel Arteta, Ian Wright, Declan Rice, Premier League, Champions League, William Saliba
Former Gunners striker Ian Wright believes that Mikel Arteta is 'done' with one Arsenal star and implied he is no longer trusted to be on the pitch for the big occasion.
Arsenal sit second in the Premier League, but are eight points behind table topping Liverpool who have also played one game less.
Arteta's side have only lost twice in the league to date, however, eight draws have hindered their attempt to chase Arne Slot's side down.
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A flurry of injuries have also played a role in Arsenal's struggles, with Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka facing lengthy spells on the sidelines already.
William Saliba has been the latest to be stricken with injury, however, despite being 'very worried' the French defender appears to be nearing a return.
However, despite considerable injury woes one star has continuously been overlooked by Arteta which has worried Wright.
Despite the injury to Saliba, Jakub Kiwior did not feature against Aston Villa with Arteta opting to play players out of position instead.
"It's worrying, if you’re Kiwior right now, you’re probably thinking it’s done," Wright told Kelly Cates on the latest episode of The Kelly and Wrighty Show.
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Kiwior was signed for a reported £20m in January of 2023, and has made 35 Premier League appearances but has been an unused substitute for Arsenal's last seven league games.
The Poland international has returned to the starting lineup for Arsenal's Champions League clash with Dinamo Zagreb.
Arsenal are set to comfortably qualify for the latter stages of the tournament, which could provide the perfect stage for Kiwior to claim his place back in Arteta's plans.
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Wright has also not impressed with how Arteta changed his defense in Saliba's absence against Villa, with Jurien Timber replacing the Frenchman and Thomas Partey filling in at right-back.
"For me, if you’re going to change like that, I’d have put (Declan) Rice at right centre-back and Timber at right-back,’ Wright added.