MIKEL ARTETA ADMITS he hasn’t been good enough for Arsenal this season and is likely to retire from football.
Injuries have restricted the 34-year-old to only 13 appearances this term, while the midfielder’s contract with the Gunners expires this summer.
Arteta has received coaching offers from Arsenal, Manchester City and Tottenham, and the Spaniard concedes his own performances on the pitch have been below par.
“It is very hard to stop but I wanted to leave it. I wanted to decide, and I thought for the last few months that I wasn’t good enough to represent this club on the pitch,” said Arteta.
“You have to accept it. It has been a long time for me to be playing football and I didn’t want to cheat them or anyone. It is time. I want to leave it like this and we will see what happens.
“You have to be honest with yourself. That’s why I haven’t been upset with the manager. I have been upset with myself. When you can’t get it right and you have been through injuries and difficult moments at this level.
“For me, to play at this club, you have to be the best in your position. When you lose that, I think you should be away from this place. I have probably been here too long. In the last few months, I probably didn’t deserve to be here but at least I got the chance (against Aston Villa) to stay in touch with them and it has been amazing.
“For me, the standards you need to play for this club, it cannot be eight out of 10. It has to be 10 out of 10. When you cannot deliver that, it is not good enough. Sometimes, people get away with it. Inside myself, my gut wasn’t clean and, when you are like this, I prefer to make the decision myself.”
The42 is on Snapchat! Tap the button below on your phone to add!
Agree 100%, McGrath and Hendrick may be a bit too attack minded but there isn’t a box to box alternative unfortunately. Hopefully Omobamidele is fit for continuity, it could be argued that Collins is a better overall defender so should he able cover if not.
@TheCraftyCulchie: I think Omobamidele is a bit of a goal threat too. Big bonus.
@Vonvonic: I thinks he’s injured
@Ríain HenC: Bad news
6 goals in 54 senior appearances for Adam Idah. 11 for Ireland with no goals. While I like his enthusiasm and energy I don’t think he’s the future. We desperately need to find a goalscorer.
@Shameless McFly: Club appearances isn’t a great metric to use when he only gets on the pitch for a few minutes and it counts as as appearance
According to Transfermarkt he’s got 8 premier league appearances this season for a total of 49 minutes
@Shameless McFly: Georgie Kelly
@Shameless McFly: Give him a chance. He holds the ball up really well, which is important with the wing back system. Hopefully he’ll get a manager who fancies him at Norwich. Lampard could be good for him.
@Shameless McFly: 100% agreed.. Has shown very little threat at this level a s needs way more club game time and possibly a loan move
@Vonvonic: he doesn’t hold it up really well.. Thats the thing here.. Not sure what he’s currently bringing to the table
@Shameless McFly: Johnny Kenny coming through-serious prospect, give him another year.
McClean arguably our most in form player. Has to start over Doherty
@Stanley:
Yep. That’s the team I’d pick.
Stephens did amazing in the wing back position last time. He’s good in defence and crossing the ball. Far better option on the left than Doherty I think.
Outside of the 11, there’s a strong argument for Coventry and Kilkenny to be there instead of Browne and Molumby based on minutes and form. Browne has experience which gives him an edge but the argument is there to be had.
@Christopher O’Brien: Browne has a lot more minutes on the pitch than Coventry. Coventry needs more time to settle. Kilkenny is a definite option but gaining more experience is also necessary. The changes cant be constant, the team needs stability.
I agree with the team but from what Kenny is saying it looks like he will rotate Doherty and Coleman for the 2 games over fitness concerns. Wouldn’t be surprised if he did the same on the other side with Mclean and Stevens
Even if I don’t agree he don’t want to change the team anyhow.
How Jeff hendrick is still robbing a wage as a footballer is beyond me
@dave Carwood: if he plays like he did last game, he’ll be robbing Portugal of a win
@john Kelly! Seriously??? You must be joking!!!
I don’t think that Idah has done enough in green to justify a starting spot. Otherwise I’d go with that team
@Gerry McCaughey: his physical presence was unsettling for Portugal the last day.
@Frainc Ó Broin: Absolutely. Hé had a great battle with Diaz all game. Unsettled him until the very end.