DISORDER

Process, what process? Arteta's mantra is "trust the process" and part of that process has been a meritocracy approach to team selection and a commitment to letting youth have it's day. But it seems that these pillars of the process are jettisoned on a whim of tactical fiddling about.

Any philosophy that stands scrutiny has to have consistency and a belief in principals and the current Arsenal manager is too easily swayed from the path.

A risk averse approach is something of a default under Arteta and this comes into play when there is a degree of pressure. Last night's game at Goodison Park was on the back of an avoidable defeat at Old Trafford where the selection of Elneny was misjudged and on that basis the team selection had a safety first feel about it. Everton are and have been very poor this season and this game may have been an opportunity to bounce back with a positive performance, but no. The return of Xhaka, a half fit Tierney and the selection of an underperforming Partey meant that we huffed and puffed with little impact on the opposition. I think it's also clear that Saka needs a rest and a game against a poor team would seem an ideal opportunity.

Team selection is very much a hindsight game but honestly, why Nketiah is anywhere near the first team squad is beyond me. Other things are worrying also: why AMN is marginalised I don't know. What's happened with Pepe I don't know and what the long term plan for Saliba is I don't know.

Our current project youth requires the right person to lead it, to nurture and develop the players and to ensure that the senior pros at the club provide a base and leadership platform for them to perform on and in that respect our captain is being found wanting, something Arteta needs to address.

When Arteta has played Lakonga, Tavares, ESR, Saka, Tomiyasu, Gabriel, Ramsdale and White we have sen their potential and their ability to go against the risk averse grain but it seems that the managerial mind of Arteta feels that he can give trust but when it suits. 

I feel that Arteta has a ceiling and that ceiling frankly, will not take this club to where it needs to be. If, with this group of younger players, we cannot achieve more we may see an exodus of sorts, this cannot be allowed to happen. 

We have bought in some very good players with which to support Arteta's vision but that vision has become blurred. Under Arteta there was supposed to be a new order but it's turned into disorder.

The Arsenal Board may have given the keys to the Bentley to a learner driver and he may very well crash the motor, and if he does who do you blame, the driver or the owner who gave him the keys?