The other big choice Arteta had to make was whether to start Eze or Martin Odegaard, plumping for the former. He’s struggled to get much out of Eze so far this season, not quite certain what to do with a maverick improvisor – it’s a bit like when Tony Pulis signed Tuncay and Eidur Gudjohnsen, but perhaps he’s now decided it’s time to make it work. It’s a significant risk – Odegaard hasn’t been great this season, but Arsenal still play their best stuff when he’s on the pitch, which is one reason I’d have stuck Eze on the flank – but with so many games still to play, it makes sense not to rush him back.
As for Arsenal, following the collapse at Wolves, Arteta makes one change, bringing in Leandro Trossard for Noni Madueke. That means Bukayo Saka’s sojourn in the middle, behind the striker, is over for now – a shame, in mine, as they need him involved in the play as often as possible, and have decent options out wide. Now that you ask, I’d have gone with Eze left and Madueke right – Arsenal need to let opponents, especially such poor ones, worry about them. But as we discussed earlier, change is right there for us, but isn’t easy to effect.
So that’s two attackers, Kolo Muani and Simons, with 58 games for Spurs this season between them … and five goals. The Tottenham WayTM or what?
