December 31st 2023.
Jamie Redknapp was left unimpressed by Arsenal’s performance in their 2-1 defeat at Fulham on New Year’s Eve. The Gunners had a chance to go top of the table, but instead have suffered back-to-back Premier League defeats.
Bukayo Saka had given the visitors an early lead, but Fulham fought back with goals from Raul Jimenez and Bobby De Cordova-Reid. Redknapp was particularly critical of Takehiro Tomiyasu who came on at half-time for Jakub Kiwior.
"He [Arteta] tried the change at half time. Tomiyasu comes into midfield and all he did was make a nuisance of himself for his own team. He was never given any width. He looked lost in there," said the former Liverpool and Tottenham star on Sky Sports.
Redknapp also went on to criticise Mikel Arteta’s tactics, with his system of using inverted full-backs stifling creativity.
“We talk about whether they’re getting enough goals but I look at the full-backs and what are they bringing at the moment. Midfield they weren’t quite right, they weren’t creating enough so they weren’t going to score goals. So much possession without the purpose you need,” Redknapp added.
The result has left Arsenal fourth in the table, two points off leaders Liverpool and level with Manchester City who both have a game in hand, and also just one point ahead of Tottenham.
With the January transfer window about to open, many Gunners fans are hoping the club will make a move for Brentford and England striker Ivan Toney. However, Redknapp is skeptical of the transfer.
“They’re talking about getting a centre forward in – Ivan Toney is what Arsenal fans want but are Brentford going to sell with the injuries they’ve got? And it’s getting precarious for Brentford, they need to keep him. It’s an area they need to strengthen but they might need to be creative. They might have to get a loan. It’s not going to be easy to get that centre forward and all of a sudden everything is going to click and it’s going to be magic,” Redknapp said.
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