ARSENAL fans have lashed out at Mikel Arteta after he named a strong team in his side’s 2-1 defeat to Bournemouth.
Arteta made just two changes from the side that lost 1-0 to PSG in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final on Tuesday.
Eyebrows were raised by Arteta’s choice to go full-strength, with a huge second-leg clash against PSG to come on Wednesday.
With Liverpool already champions, Arteta’s side are effectively playing for second place in the Prem.
But Arteta has fielded his best players against Bournemouth at the Emirates, with Arsenal‘s top four place all but secured.
His team included all the key players from Bukayo Saka to William Saliba, captain Martin Odegaard, Declan Rice and Myles Lewis-Skelly.
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This is a far cry from the decision taken by PSG boss Luis Enrique.
The Spaniard made TEN changes to his Parisian side that secured their 13th Ligue 1 title a few weeks back.
PSG’s entire front line was rested, with Ousmane Dembele, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Desire Doue and goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma all benched.
Meanwhile, only Mikel Merino and Jurrien Timber were been left out of the starting line-up against the Cherries.
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João Neves was the only one to remain the starting line-up in PSG’S 2-1 loss to Strasbourg, but he was subbed off early during the game.
And Arsenal fans were left reeling after Arteta’s line-ups were released.
One wrote: “Arteta what are you thinking?”
A second quizzed: “Ridiculous, what if we get anymore injuries in this game?”
A third raged: “Arteta what the f*** are you doing?😡.”
A third added: “What on earth is Arteta trying to achieve with this lineup. Let’s pray the worst doesn’t happen.”
One more replied: “We have gone full strength while PSG have made ten changes ahead of the second leg 😡😡😡.”
Rice put Arsenal 1-0 up in his 100th appearances for the club, with Bournemouth missing several chances in the first half.
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But Dean Huijsen’s clever header from a long throw gave the Cherries hope of a shock away win.
And Evalison grabbed the winner from another set piece – this time from a corner – before VAR checked a possible handball.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
