Arsenal lost their first Premier League game of the season on Sunday evening following a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Manchester United. Despite the defeat, the overall performance was still impressive by Mikel Arteta’s side which should have been enough for his side to at least come out with a point.
A major reason why the Gunners were not able to claim anything from the game was due to the inability to be indecisive in the final third and create clear-cut chances for the forwards. Manchester United were hardly on the front but were clinical from the chances they created which was why they took all three points.
Paul Merson described Arsenal of not having a Christian Eriksen amongst the ranks, which is a major reason for the defeat. However, Youri Tielemans’ assist against Brighton yesterday highlighted that he would be able to fill that void.
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Speaking on Sky Sports Super Sunday, Merson said: “With Eriksen that Arsenal haven’t got is that ball through the lines, he did it first half for the goal to Fernandes, he done it to that goal to Fernandes again.
Arsenal haven’t got that. They’ve got Saka and Lokonga, they aren’t going to put the ball through the lines and that’s the difference for me between the two teams. It’s the same old story, you come away from here thinking ‘done well today’.”
Tielemans showed for Leciester yesterday that he would be the answer to Merson’s Arsenal dilemma. The Belgian provided a magnificent assist in the first half against Brighton as his over-the-top ball from deep in midfield gave Patson Daka a one-on-one chance at goal and he was able to slot the ball into the net.
During the window, Tielemans was understood by football.london to be in a position whereby he would accept a move to the Emirates Stadium for free next summer. Though if a rival made an offer this summer, Arsenal would make a move.
The Gunners need to sign a midfielder due to a lack of depth and quality in the middle of the park. CBS Sports reported earlier in the season that Tielemans would be available for £30m. However, a deal has failed to materialise in the summer window as Mikel Arteta's 'cooled' their interest in the Belgian earlier in the market, according to Sky Sports.
However, Merson’s main Arsenal concern would be solved by signing the Belgian. With him being eligible to be signed on a free pre-contract in January, it is a deal that Edu could look to explore.
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