Arsenal icon David Seaman has publicly advised manager Mikel Arteta to make a significant tactical change, suggesting he should drop a £32million star for the upcoming Premier League fixture.
Seaman's Bold Call After Stamford Bridge Stalemate
The call comes in the wake of Arsenal's 1-1 draw with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, December 1, 2025. While the result preserved the Gunners' six-point lead over their London rivals, the failure to beat a Chelsea side reduced to ten men left a sense of a missed opportunity.
Arteta was left ruing his team's inability to convert their numerical advantage into a victory that would have extended their cushion at the top of the table. The draw followed a crucial win over Tottenham and a heavyweight Champions League triumph against Bayern Munich.
The Striker Dilemma: Gyokeres vs. Merino
With attacking options bolstered by the return of Gabriel Jesus and summer signing Viktor Gyokeres, Arteta faces a selection headache. Mikel Merino, who has filled the forward role admirably, scored the equaliser against Chelsea with a classic far-post header.
Despite this, Seaman believes the time has come for Gyokeres to lead the line. Speaking to talkSPORT, the former England goalkeeper analysed the differing styles. "He has (done a decent job) but when you look at Merino he's more of a false nine, he drops back quite a lot," Seaman stated.
He contrasted this with Gyokeres' more traditional centre-forward play: "When you've got Gyokeres in there he's an out and out striker he gives you that option of holding the ball up and letting us get out." Seaman pointed to a late chance where Gyokeres was denied a winner by a block from the excellent Jurrien Timber as evidence of his threat.
Carragher Weighs In on Arteta's Philosophy
Seaman's views found an echo in the analysis of Jamie Carragher. The Sky Sports pundit suggested that both Kai Havertz and Merino might be more naturally suited to the tactical system Arteta has developed over his six-year tenure.
Carragher noted it would be "very interesting to see how long it takes Mikel Arteta to put him (Gyokeres) fully back into the team," given Merino's outstanding contributions during the Swede's absence. This debate highlights the strategic choice facing Arteta: whether to deploy a pure striker or opt for a forward who adds numbers in midfield.
The discussion sets the stage for Arsenal's next match against Brentford on Wednesday, as the league leaders look to maintain their advantage at the summit.
