Mikel Arteta may have been keen to play down the idea of Arsenal going all out for the Europa League this season, but there’s nothing else for them to play for after the loss against Everton tonight.
It was a strange game as it seemed to play a secondary role to the protests going on outside the ground tonight, and it can be seen as further proof of Arsenal needing some serious investment if they want to compete for the top four.
Mikel Arteta can use the excuse of having several stars out injured and some of this team selection was makeshift in attack and defence, while the usually dependable Bernd Leno produced a shocking error that decided the game.
READ MORE: Video: Bernd Leno gifts Everton the lead vs Arsenal with a shocking mistake for an own goal
Arsenal do have several promising youngsters on the books just now so the future does look bright, but it also suggests that someone like Eddie Nketiah may need to move on.
Perhaps tonight was one final chance for him to prove that he deserves more chances to play, but it looks like some fans have seen enough and would rather see Martinelli and Balogun get a chance instead:
Martinelli offered so much more threat than Nketiah. Arteta and his flailing line ups cost us once more.
I saw Eddie start, I knew we'd be toothless up front.
— ?? Chris ?? (@afcgilberto) April 23, 2021
Look at Martinelli man, I can’t believe Nketiah started
— Rick James (@Jay_SaidIt) April 23, 2021
https://twitter.com/harryfranklin24/status/1385697838609444875
https://twitter.com/SaffaGooner10/status/1385697814789951490
Martinelli should have been on from the start Nketiah not good enough
— Rodderick???? (@gunner_irish) April 23, 2021
DISGRACEFUL!!!
SELL NKETIAH. HE IS NOT A STRIKER !!!
— BENCOURAGE (@seer_ben) April 23, 2021