One Arsenal star has been criticised by Theo Walcott following his performance in the Gunners’ 1-0 defeat to Liverpool.
Mikel Arteta’s team suffered a gut-wrenching defeat to Liverpool at Anfield, with Dominik Szoboszlai’s sensational free-kick securing the win for the Reds.
Arsenal will be disappointed not to have taken points off the Premier League champions, having played so well in the first half.
During the game, Walcott noticed one Arsenal star who was struggling and ended up being a bit of a hindrance to Arteta’s attack.
Liverpool v Arsenal - Premier League
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Theo Walcott slams Gabriel Martinelli’s decision-making vs Liverpool
Theo Walcott has slammed Gabriel Martinelli’s decision-making in the Gunners’ defeat to Liverpool as the Brazilian struggled to make an impact.
The 24-year-old was picked ahead of Eberechi Eze at Anfield, and it proved to be arguably the wrong decision given his display.
Speaking about both of the Gunners’ wingers, Walcott told Sky Sports: “Noni Madueke has been very positive – and that’s been the difference with Gabriel Martinelli, who’s been overthinking things.”
Meanwhile, Madueke impressed Arsenal fans at Anfield as the former Chelsea star stepped up in Bukayo Saka’s absence from the team.
Saka’s injury has made Madueke key for the North Londoners, and the 23-year-old grabbed his opportunity on Merseyside with an impressive display.
Arsenal hope Saka will be back soon to face Nottingham Forest, but Madueke has shown that he is good enough to be starting if he suffers a setback.
But for Martinelli, his place in the team will now be left in doubt, with Eze showing what a threat he can be after replacing him in the 70th minute.
Theo Walcott believes Mikel Arteta made Eberechi Eze mistake vs Liverpool
Walcott reckons that Arteta should have brought on Eze earlier and been more proactive in making substitutions against Liverpool.
The Gunners looked strong in the first half and during spells at the start of the second, but the Spaniard never really took the handbrake off at Anfield.
"Arsenal's attacking play just wasn't good enough!"
"Their forwards have to take risks!"
Roy Keane & Theo Walcott react to Arsenal's defeat to Liverpool 🔎 pic.twitter.com/RZikSJSkmQ
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“I wouldn’t say that Arsenal were at the level where they didn’t deserve to win the game, I don’t think anyone really deserved to win the game and it was always going to be a moment, I felt,” claimed the former Arsenal winger.
“But this is the difference, where you talk about the risk and this is the side of the game where Arsenal aren’t really doing at this moment in time.
“Forwards have to take risks if you want to be able to win. I think he made the substitutions at the right time and the game plan was going the right way for Arsenal.
“I think there were signs of Eze coming on, of course, he got behind Liverpool’s defence and nearly caused problems there, but we want to see him earlier.”