Scholes: Arsenal's Set-Piece Madness Has Saka Wandering in the Wilderness – City Lurking
Paul Scholes has criticised Arsenal's heavy reliance on set-pieces after their 2-0 Carabao Cup final loss to Manchester City, saying it’s leaving Bukayo Saka looking lost. He warns the Gunners risk forgetting open-play goals, while praising Rodri's form that could make City unstoppable. Despite Arsenal's nine-point Premier League lead, Scholes sees vulnerability ahead.
Scholes Sounds Alarm After Arsenal's Wembley Woe
Picture this: Wembley Stadium, Carabao Cup final, and Manchester City strolling to a 2-0 victory over Arsenal thanks to a cheeky brace from teenage sensation Nico O'Reilly. Hearts broken for the Gunners, but Paul Scholes, the ginger oracle from Manchester United's glory days, wasn't mincing words on the post-match fallout. As reported by Football365 via OneFootball, the midfield legend reckons Arsenal are sleepwalking into trouble.
Scholes didn't hold back, eyeing Bukayo Saka – that electric winger who's been quieter than a library lately – and declaring him 'lost at the minute'. With just two goals and an assist in his last 16 games across all comps, Saka's high standards have dipped. But Scholes pins it on the team around him, not the lad himself.
Set-Piece Obsession or Tactical Own-Goal?
Here's where it gets spicy. Scholes is waving a massive red flag at Arsenal's love affair with set-pieces. 'They're obsessed,' he blasts, comparing it to facing Stoke City back in the Rory Delap era, when those missile throw-ins had managers begging their defenders to hoof it out for corners instead.
Even Bernardo Silva was sprinting like a man possessed to concede a corner rather than risk Arsenal's delivery. Scholes laughs it off: the Gunners have forgotten how to score the 'other ways' – you know, open play, that novel idea. 'You've got good players like Saka, but they can't get the ball to him,' he moans. Midfielders and centre-backs? Not delivering, mate.
Arsenal sit pretty at the top of the Premier League, nine points clear of City, with FA Cup and Champions League dreams still alive. But Scholes warns this Wembley loss could be the 'blow' that unravels them come season's end, just like United's old stumbles.
Rodri's Return Spells Danger for the Title Race
Flip the script to City, and Scholes is buzzing about Rodri. The Spanish destroyer looked 'the best he's been' since his year-long injury layoff, bossing midfield like it's his living room. 'If he carries on like that, they'll be unstoppable,' Scholes predicts with a grim nod.
That international break? Not a curse for Pep's lot – it's rocket fuel. 'Massive confidence boost,' says Scholes. Chuck in their game in hand, and if they topple Arsenal head-to-head, it's suddenly a three-point thriller. Arsenal's lead? Might melt faster than a snowman in summer.
Scholes knows the script all too well from United's Treble chase. Arsenal have the talent, the position, the momentum – but ditching the set-piece crutch and feeding Saka properly could be the difference. Otherwise, City’s machine, Rodri-fueled, rolls on. Pub debate starter: is Arteta too wedded to the corners, or is Scholes just stirring the pot? Either way, the title race just got a whole lot juicier.