Arsenal’s Legend Urges a Fresh Start: Bench the Captain, Start the Newcomer and Stop the Slide

What the Arsenal Legend Wants

Alan Smith, the former Arsenal star, has urged manager Mikel Arteta to bench captain Martin Ødegaard and give the club’s new signing Izzy a real chance to start as Arsenal seek to halt a troubling dip in form in the Premier League.

Arsenal have failed to earn a point in their last three league outings, fueling fears about a potential slip from their share of the title race.

The call came after a 3-2 defeat to Manchester United at the Emirates, with Ødegaard being withdrawn before the hour mark in a match where he did contribute to the opener but failed to influence the game’s flow as hoped.

Smith suggested that the captain’s overall impact has been limited lately and that the visitors could have widened the gap at the top had others stepped up more consistently.

What’s Next for Arsenal

Izzy, who joined Arsenal in the summer, has yet to start a league game since mid-December, making this weekend’s trip to Leeds United a real audition for a regular starting place.

Before that league visit to Elland Road, Arsenal also face Kazakh club Kairat Almaty in the Champions League on Wednesday, a clash that will test the squad’s depth as it navigates a busy period.

Smith maintained that Arteta might need a tweak to the system or personnel to revive the side and stem the bleeding. He said the manager is already weighing changes ahead of the weekend’s fixtures in a bid to restore momentum and stay in the title race.

Asked whether he still believes Arsenal can win the league, Smith replied that he “certainly bets on Arsenal,” adding that failing to lift the trophy at this stage would be a huge disappointment. He argued Arsenal have “one of the best squads in the league” and that the team will regain tempo as they navigate this challenging period.

Note: Smith’s comments come as Arsenal balance domestic commitments with European duties, highlighting the fine margins between glory and frustration for a club chasing consistency.

Punchline 1: If Arsenal keep changing their XI like a fashion runway, the only thing that’ll stay in fashion is the worry lines on fans’ foreheads.

Punchline 2: Arsenal’s defense is so leaky some say they’re running a charity for goalkeepers—hands up if you want a loan of a clean sheet!