Posted by According to Theo Walcott, a former Arsenal winger, manager Mikel Arteta is facing his greatest test at the moment.
In Sunday’s North London derby, Arteta’s squad will take against Tottenham Hotspur despite missing a number of starters owing to injury.
Both captain Martin Odegaard and starting midfielder Declan Rice are out with injuries.
The Spaniard may have a tough time finding a suitable substitute for his starting midfielders now that Emile Smith Rowe has left the club.
Walcott said Football London, “There’s an expectation for every player to perform at Arsenal, I get that,” in reference to Odegaard, in the lead-up to the North London derby.
However, I consider this to be the most significant challenge, and it is convenient to have it so early in the season, when the schedule is less rigid.
“It opens the door for these players to potentially return, but it also gives the other players a chance to assert themselves and declare, ‘Listen, I want to challenge Martin Odegaard.'”
I want to challenge him right now, even though I know he’s the captain.