By Gabriel Agbonlahor

2nd Sep, 2023 | 12:35pm

Agbonlahor swipes at Mikel Arteta after what he saw at Arsenal - 'you're not Pep'

Gabby Agbonlahor has insisted Mikel Arteta must restore defender Gabriel to the Arsenal lineup to face Man United on Sunday (3 September).

The former Aston Villa striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, accused the Gunners boss of “complicating” his selections – claiming the defensive lineup should be “common sense”.

Despite being a key man for Arsenal last season, Gabriel has been limited to just two substitute cameos totalling 24 minutes this season.

That is despite new signing Jurrien Timber suffering a serious knee injury in the first game of the 2023-24 campaign.

In the last fixture against Fulham on 26 August, Jakub Kiwior played a left-back role while Thomas Partey lined up as a right-back.

Leandro Trossard also played in a false nine role with Eddie Nketiah and Gabriel Jesus only on the bench.

Arsenal, who will play Champions League group-stage football this term, have picked up seven points from their first three games of the season.

Agbonlahor told Football Insider’s Ewan Kingsbury: “If Arteta looks at social media then he’d bring Gabriel straight back in.

“I just think it’s common sense.

“Timber is injured, so just play the back four from last season.

“Zinchenko, Gabriel, Saliba, White – play a normal system. It’s the strongest lineup they’ve got.

“It’s quite simple. He’s tried to complicate things. You’re not Pep Guardiola, he’s got to have his own ideas.

“Stop trying to copy others, and continue with what made you so successful in the first place.”

In other news, Arteta “annoyed” at Arsenal defender as footage analysed.