Former Premier League winner Danny Simpson has stirred debate among Arsenal fans after openly criticizing one of the Gunners’ key men, insisting that Mikel Arteta must make a tough call if he wants to guide the club to Premier League glory.
Simpson, who was part of Leicester City’s historic title-winning side in 2016, argued that Arsenal will struggle to win the league as long as the unnamed player continues to hold a place in the starting XI. While he praised Arteta for building a competitive squad capable of challenging Manchester City and Liverpool, Simpson stressed that certain tactical decisions and individual performances could prove costly over the long campaign.
The ex-defender pointed out that title-winning sides require consistency and reliability across all positions, especially when competing against elite teams that rarely drop points. According to him, Arsenal cannot afford lapses from a player who, in his view, has not lived up to expectations in crucial moments.
His comments have sparked reactions from fans and pundits, with some agreeing that Arteta should be more ruthless in selection, while others argue that squad depth and rotation—not singling out one player—will determine Arsenal’s chances of success this season.
As the title race heats up, all eyes will be on how Arteta manages his squad and whether he takes on board such criticism from former professionals who have been through the pressure of winning the league.