- Micah Richards believes an error from Mikel Arteta was costly in title race
- Arsenal finished two points behind champions Manchester City this season
- Are Pep’s City the greatest the Premier League has seen? Listen to the It’s All Kicking Off podcast
Micah Richards has claimed that one mistake from Mikel Arteta cost Arsenal the Premier League title this season.
Arteta’s side finished just two points behind Manchester City, who won the Premier League for the fourth season in succession.
There were many positives for Arsenal to take from the campaign, with their performance levels being of a very high standard for much of the season.
Arsenal won 28 of their 38 league games, while they drew five and lost five.
However, Richards feels that if Arteta hadn’t made one particular error then the Gunners could have been champions instead.
Micah Richards claimed one mistake from Mikel Arteta was costly in the title race
Richards says that a tactical change from Arteta was a key factor in City retaining the title
Arsenal’s 2-0 defeat at home to Aston Villa on April 14 is seen as a particularly costly loss in the title race.
Arteta’s side capitulated late on, with Leon Bailey and Ollie Watkins scoring in the closing stages for Villa.
Richards feels that Arteta made a mistake by moving Kai Havertz from the false nine position in which had been performing very well, into midfield. He suggested that Arteta should have started another midfielder such as Jorginho or Thomas Partey instead.
Speaking on The Rest Is Football podcast, Richards said: ‘I just go back to that Villa game, Arsenal v Villa at home.
‘Arteta chose to go with Havertz in the midfield area instead of the false nine which has worked so well for them. Could’ve went with a Jorginho or Partey.
Arsenal conceded two late goals at home to Aston Villa as they suffered a costly defeat
Richards feels that Arteta was wrong to use Kai Havertz in midfield instead of as a false nine
‘Emery, on the day, tactically got it spot on. So, yeah, disappointed.’
Arsenal also lost 1-0 away to Aston Villa earlier in the season, while defeats against West Ham and Fulham during the festive period were also frustrating for Arteta. Arsenal lost 1-0 away to Newcastle in November but could feel hard done by with regards to refereeing decisions.
Arteta may also look back at the 2-2 draw at home to Fulham in August, when Arsenal conceded a late equaliser to Joao Palhinha, as a costly moment.
