Mikel Arteta ordered to drop key Arsenal star as he's told 'he's not the same player'

Mikel Arteta ordered to drop key Arsenal star as he's told 'he's not the same player'Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has received a message to drop a star player as the Gunners prepare to face Manchester CityCommentsSportJake Bayliss Senior Sports Writer12:47, 16 Apr 2026View 2 ImagesMikel Arteta has been told to drop one of his key Arsenal players(Image: Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has been instructed to boldly drop William Saliba at a vital point of the season. The centre-back has been a mainstay of the Gunners’ backline since breaking into the team four years ago.‌The 25-year-old’s formidable partnership with Gabriel Magalhaes has been pivotal in Arsenal's emergence as Premier League title contenders. The league leaders have once again conceded the fewest goals so far this term, underlining the importance of Saliba’s contributions.‌He is widely considered to be one of the best in the world in his position. However, the France international was criticised for his display against Sporting CP on Wednesday, despite Arteta’s team keeping a clean sheet and progressing to the Champions League semi-finals.‌BBC Sport pundit Chris Sutton has argued that the defender has fallen below his impeccable standards at a crucial time in the campaign. Saliba returned to the side last month after a brief spell out with an ankle injury.FOLLOW OUR ARSENAL FB PAGE! Latest Gunners news and more on our dedicated Facebook pageSpeaking at half-time during Arsenal ’s stalemate with Sporting CP, Sutton said on BBC Radio 5 Live : “Saliba, since he got into the Arsenal team, he has been an absolute rock at the back, but he does not look the player he once was.”‌READ MORE: Thierry Henry laughs at Man City question after watching Arsenal vs SportingREAD MORE: Sporting star makes 'boring' Arsenal admission as Champions League clash fails to deliverSutton is not alone in believing that Saliba has suffered a dip in form. Italian footba...