Ian Wright thinks Mikel Arteta has lost faith in an Arsenal star, suggesting his time at the club has come to an end.

Former Arsenal striker Ian Wright has suggested that Mikel Arteta may have lost faith in one of the club’s players, hinting that the star is no longer trusted for major matches.

While Arsenal sit second in the Premier League, they trail leaders Liverpool by eight points, with Jurgen Klopp’s side also holding a game in hand. Despite losing only twice this season, Arsenal’s eight draws have hindered their title chase.

Injuries have also plagued the squad, with key players like Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka spending significant time on the sidelines. Recently, defender William Saliba joined the injury list, though reports suggest he is nearing a return, easing some of Arteta’s defensive concerns.

However, one player’s ongoing exclusion has raised eyebrows, particularly for Wright. Jakub Kiwior, who was signed for £20 million in January 2023, has been consistently overlooked even amid Arsenal’s defensive crisis. Despite Saliba’s absence, Arteta opted not to play Kiwior in their recent clash against Aston Villa, instead choosing to field players out of position.

Speaking on The Kelly and Wrighty Show, Wright expressed his concern. “It’s worrying. If you’re Kiwior right now, you’re probably thinking it’s done,” he said. Kiwior has made 35 Premier League appearances but has been an unused substitute for Arsenal’s last seven league games.

The Polish international returned to the starting lineup for Arsenal’s Champions League game against Dinamo Zagreb, a competition where Arsenal are on track to advance to the latter stages. Wright suggested that the tournament could offer Kiwior a chance to reclaim his spot in Arteta’s plans.

Wright also criticized Arteta’s defensive adjustments in Saliba’s absence against Villa, where Jurrien Timber replaced Saliba at center-back, and Thomas Partey filled in at right-back. “For me, if you’re going to change like that, I’d have put (Declan) Rice at right center-back and Timber at right-back,” Wright added.

As Arsenal navigate their injury setbacks and push to keep pace with Liverpool, questions about Arteta’s squad management and tactical decisions remain a point of contention among fans and pundits alike.