Arsène Wenger has reportedly delivered a brutally honest verdict ahead of Arsenal’s huge showdown with Liverpool tomorrow, insisting that Mikel Arteta must be ruthless in his selection if the Gunners are to stand any chance of winning the game.
The legendary former Arsenal manager believes sentiment and reputation cannot come before tactical discipline, and he has singled out Viktor Gyökeres and Gabriel Martinelli as the two players who should be dropped for this particular encounter.
Speaking from his vast experience of high-pressure clashes against Liverpool, Wenger is understood to feel that Arsenal need a calmer, more controlled approach in the final third, rather than raw intensity and directness. According to Wenger, Liverpool thrive when games become open and chaotic, and starting both Gyökeres and Martinelli could play directly into Arne Slot’s hands.
Wenger’s criticism of Gyökeres is not a dismissal of the striker’s quality or impact since arriving at the club. The former Monaco boss acknowledges that the Swedish forward brings power, aggression and goal threat, but he questions whether this is the right type of striker for a match of this magnitude. In Wenger’s view, Liverpool’s centre-backs are most vulnerable to intelligent movement, quick combinations and positional rotation rather than constant physical duels. He believes Gyökeres can sometimes become isolated against elite defences, especially when Arsenal are pressed high and denied space to play into.
Instead, Wenger is thought to prefer a more fluid attacking structure, with a false nine or a technically gifted forward who can drop into midfield, disrupt Liverpool’s pressing shape and create overloads. For Wenger, controlling the rhythm of the game is far more important than having a traditional focal point, particularly against a Liverpool side that feeds off transitions.
Gabriel Martinelli’s inclusion has also been questioned by the Frenchman, despite the Brazilian’s pace and history of tormenting Liverpool in previous seasons. Wenger feels Martinelli’s form has dipped at the wrong time and that his decision-making in the final third has become predictable. Against a Liverpool defence that is well-drilled and aggressive in wide areas, Wenger worries that Martinelli’s tendency to drive straight into defenders could lead to turnovers and dangerous counterattacks.
Wenger reportedly believes Arsenal need more composure on the wings, especially in possession. He has hinted that a player with superior ball retention, tactical awareness and timing of runs would be better suited to this fixture. From Wenger’s perspective, this is not about punishing Martinelli, but about choosing the right profile to survive Liverpool’s pressing storm and gradually impose control on the game.
The former Arsenal boss has always stressed that big matches are often won in midfield and between the lines, not purely through speed or strength. He feels Arteta must prioritise technical security, positional intelligence and collective balance if Arsenal are to beat Liverpool and make a serious statement in the title race. Dropping high-profile players, Wenger argues, sends a message that no one is guaranteed a place and that tactical clarity comes first.
Wenger’s stance is expected to spark debate among fans, particularly those who admire Gyökeres’ physical presence and Martinelli’s explosive pace. However, his track record against Liverpool during his time in the Premier League gives weight to his opinion. Wenger knows how quickly Anfield-style intensity can punish even the smallest tactical mistake, and he believes Arsenal must think, not just fight, their way to victory.
As kickoff approaches, all eyes will be on Arteta’s team selection. If he follows Wenger’s advice and leaves Gyökeres and Martinelli out of the starting XI, it will be seen as a bold and controversial call. But as Wenger himself would argue, titles are not won by popularity or loyalty — they are won by making the right decisions at the right moment. Tomorrow night, Arsenal may find out whether ruthless pragmatism is the key to overcoming Liverpool.