Ian Wright identifies Mikel Arteta’s biggest problem at Arsenal

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Former Arsenal striker, Ian Wright, has said Mikel Arteta’s problem is now depth.

The Gunners began their defence of the FA Cup with a hardfought 2-0 win over Newcastle on Saturday.

Wright feels Arteta was forced to rely on young players to get a result.

Arteta opted to rest Emile Smith Rowe and Bukayo Saka from the start, but was forced into a change prior to kick-off, when Reiss Nelson was promoted from the bench after Gabriel Martinelli suffered an injury in the warm-up.

Arsenal subsequently produced a disjointed display and only began to carve out opportunities once Saka and Smith Rowe were summoned from the bench in the second half.

Smith Rowe broke the deadlock in the second period of extra-time with superb low strike, before captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang made the game safe shortly before the final whistle.

Wright told the BBC: “I’m pleased for him because he had to find a way. He brought the young guys in and with their enthusiasm and energy (they’ve improved).

“And obviously Emile Smith Rowe’s quality in that area of the field where we haven’t got too many players in there that can do what he does, links the play it’s coincided with the wins.

“He’s finished the game today with the team that’s probably been involved in those wins so his problem is now the depth.”

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