Former Premier League forward Darren Bent has called upon Mikel Arteta to end his rotation in goal, insisting that David Raya must remain the undisputed starter for the duration of Arsenal’s campaign. The pundit’s comments follow a disappointing 2-1 FA Cup exit at the hands of Southampton last Saturday, a result that has sharpened the focus on the Gunners’ remaining pursuit of a historic Premier League and Champions League double.
Despite the cup setback, Arsenal remains in a commanding position domestically, holding a significant nine-point advantage over Manchester City at the summit of the table. Their European ambitions also received a boost on Tuesday with a narrow 1-0 first-leg win over Sporting CP. As the team prepares for a return to league duties against Bournemouth this Saturday, Bent has advised the coaching staff to prioritize consistency over experimentation.
Critiquing the performance against the Saints on talkSPORT, Bent expressed concerns over the defensive instability and the lack of impact from certain senior figures, specifically labeling Gabriel Jesus as ineffective. He noted that the absence of regular starters seemed to unsettle the backline, leading to uncharacteristic displays from players who have otherwise been reliable this season.
“The performance was concerning, as many players I have praised this season, such as [Cristhian] Mosquera, who has performed well when [William] Saliba has been unavailable, appeared nervous against Southampton,” Bent remarked. “Gabriel [Magalhaes] seemed a bit anxious, possibly due to Saliba’s absence beside him, and did not display his usual form.”
Bent was particularly critical of the continued reliance on Gabriel Jesus and the choice of goalkeeper. “As for Gabriel Jesus…I am uncertain why we continue to persist; it has not been effective for approximately three years, yet we are still trying… I understand the need to provide players with game time, but this approach is not yielding results,” he stated.
While noting that young prospect Max Dowman was a rare bright spot, Bent concluded with a firm stance on the goalkeeping situation: “As I mentioned, [Max] Dowman was the only player who impressed me, as he demonstrated some potential. Cease utilizing Kepa. While it may not entirely be his fault, I do not wish to see Kepa on the pitch again this season.”
