Arsenal won't be one-trick ponies again

CANNY ARTETA WANTS HIS PLAYERS TO ADAPT

- John Cross

MIKEL ARTETA faces a genuine test of Arsenal's credentials on Sunday.

The showdown with Manchester United at the Emirates should provide some clues about where both teams are heading.

Gary Neville has accused Arteta of tinkering too much with his tactics. The manager has experimented with Thomas Partey at right-back, used a back three, tried to squeeze Kai Havertz, below, into an unbalanced-looking midfield moved his defenders all over the place.

Arsenal have still produced two wins and a draw but the performances have hardly been convincing.

If the Gunners had set out to send a message of intent to champions Manchester City, then it probably has not had the desired effect.