Darren Bent tells Mikel Arteta to drop Arsenal star: ‘I don’t need to see him again this season’ | Football

Darren Bent believes Mikel Arteta mustn’t play Kepa Arrizabalaga for the rest of Arsenal’s season and insists David Raya should start every game.

After crashing out of the FA Cup with a 2-1 defeat away to Southampton last Saturday, Arsenal are still in with a likelihood of winning the Premier League and the Champions League this season.

Mikel Arteta’s side currently have a nine-point cushion over Manchester City at the highest of the Premier League, while the Gunners sealed a 1-0 win in the primary leg of their Champions League quarter-final against Sporting CP on Tuesday night.

Arsenal now turn their attention back to the Premier League this weekend as they host Bournemouth in Saturday’s 12:30pm kick-off.

Former Premier League striker Bent has called on Arteta to stick to his trusted players for the rest of the campaign, and described Gabriel Jesus as a ‘passenger’ within the defeat to Southampton last wekend.

‘It was just worrying, the performance, because there have been so many players who I even have lauded this season, like [Cristhian] Mosquera, every time he has are available in to play when [William] Saliba has been injured, at times he’s looked really good, he looked like he was nervous against Southampton,’ Bent told talkSPORT.

‘Gabriel [Magalhaes], I don’t know if it was because Saliba wasn’t next to him, he looked a little bit bit nervous, not like his normal self.

‘Gabriel Jesus… I mean, I don’t know why we keep trying, I could’ve told you, it’s not worked for like three years and yet we’re still… I do know you’ve got to present players minutes but that’s not working.

‘As I said, [Max] Dowman was the just one who I assumed, ‘he’s got a little bit bit about him’.

‘Stop playing Kepa. I realize it’s not necessarily his fault, but I don’t wish to see Kepa again this season.

‘As a back-up, perfect. David Raya, between now and the tip of the season, has to play each minute.

‘Even when Arsenal destroy Sporting within the Champions League, next week I would like David Raya in goal. Play him from now in every game until the tip of the season.

‘I understand he’s attempting to play bodies but these players are letting him down, they keep being given opportunities they usually’re not taking them. Gabriel Jesus was like a passenger.’

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