Arsenal News: Arteta Faces Trust Questions as Gyokeres Eyes Sporting Reunion

Arsenal currently sit atop the Premier League table in an enviable position. However, with Manchester City breathing down their necks, manager Mikel Arteta requires maximum performance from his entire squad.

The Gunners have been exceptional throughout the campaign, delivering impressive results domestically and on the continental stage. After securing first place in their Champions League group, they're set to battle Bayer Leverkusen in the round of 16 this coming March.

Arteta recently addressed the importance of maintaining concentration during this pivotal stretch. "We have to live in the present and the present is beautiful," the Spanish manager stated. "We are exactly where we want to be in every competition."

However, not everyone is convinced that Arteta is managing his squad rotation effectively. Former Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson has raised concerns about the manager's approach to utilizing certain players.

Merson Raises Concerns Over Arteta's Player Management

The ex-Gunners star believes Arteta lacks sufficient confidence in Viktor Gyokeres and Eberechi Eze. Both attackers recently netted twice each in an emphatic 4-1 victory over rivals Tottenham.

During an appearance on Sky Sports' Soccer Saturday, Merson highlighted how the pair's partnership benefits the team. "If these two hit fire until the end of the season, Arsenal win the league," he declared. "If they can go and be 8/10 every week."

Eze was acquired specifically to provide that game-changing quality needed to break down organized defences in crucial matches. The midfielder's graceful style allows him to navigate past opponents with remarkable ease.

For Canadian football fans and bettors monitoring Arsenal's championship prospects, the consistency of Gyokeres and Eze could prove decisive. Should Arteta fail to provide them with regular minutes, it might impact the Gunners' ability to fend off City during the season's final stretch.

Merson, however, doesn't believe the manager has adequate faith in them. "I don't think he does [with] a lot of people," Merson elaborated. "I think Arteta plays on sparks where he'll watch someone do something wrong and, 'Oh, you're out of the team.'"

He cited instances like Riccardo Calafiori enduring one poor performance before being benched. Similarly, Eze found himself sidelined after a defensive lapse against Aston Villa.

Potential Awkward Encounter with Former Club for Gyokeres

Meanwhile, an intriguing storyline is developing in the Champions League. Gyokeres could potentially face his previous employer Sporting CP should both clubs advance to the quarter-final stage.

The Swedish forward made the move to Arsenal last summer in a £64 million transfer following a contentious departure from Portugal. His decision to skip pre-season training at Sporting generated considerable controversy.

Gyokeres addressed the situation via Instagram at the time: "There's a lot of talk at the moment, most of it is false. I will speak when the time is right."

Now the striker might square off against his former team. Arsenal are scheduled to face Leverkusen while Sporting take on Bodo-Glimt in the last 16. Victory in both fixtures would set up a quarter-final clash.

Sporting's head coach Rui Borges maintained there's no animosity regarding Gyokeres' exit. "I wish him the best of luck in the world, he marked an era in our football," Borges commented.

However, he acknowledged those warm sentiments would vanish if the teams meet in European competition. That prospective matchup could inject additional drama into what's already shaping up as a compelling Champions League journey for Arsenal.