Paul Scholes reveals the big mistake which Mikel Arteta made at Arsenal last season

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Having signed Riccardo Calafiori, Arsenal are evidently on a mission to improve Mikel Arteta’s squad depth heading into the new season.

For two campaigns in a row, Arsenal have come up slightly short of Manchester City, not able to match their momentum during the all important run-in.

That being said, many believe that Arteta has simply lacked the squad to compete with Pep Guardiola across a long season previously.

For example, William Saliba played every Premier League minute for Arsenal last season, and players like Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard won’t have been far behind.

Arteta did have a sizable squad, but seemingly only trusted 16 or so players with significant minutes.

That being said, when speaking on The Overlap recently, former Manchester United player Paul Scholes thought Arsenal fell down for a different issue entirely.

Scholes mentioned that Arsenal aren’t far away from achieving their goal of winning the league, but still couldn’t get over one moment last season.

Paul Scholes couldn’t believe Arsenal celebrated a draw with Man City

Speaking on the podcast, Scholes harped back to Arsenal’s 0-0 draw at the Etihad in March, saying he couldn’t quite understand why Arteta didn’t go for the jugular when City were vulnerable.

Scholes shared: “Arsenal are clearly not far away. I think the thing they are missing is that bit of mentality where they can actually go on and do it. 

READ MORE: Jamie Carragher says there’s one signing Arsenal still really need to make this summer

“I think last year, when you’re going to the league with another team, as we were with City, Liverpool and Arsenal, you have to go to their ground and win in a big game. 

“I remember watching the game at the end of last season and City were struggling a bit and Arsenal went there and played for a draw, really, they were delighted with a draw.

“If you win that game Arsenal win the league, there’s no doubt about that. That momentum was massive. All of a sudden you are killing your main rival, they are gone. It destroys you.

“When I saw the celebrations after that game from Arteta and the players, they were so happy to draw the game and I thought that’s wrong.

“If you go there at such a vulnerable time for Man City and win, it’s the difference between winning the league and not winning the league.”

Can Gabriel Jesus be the difference-maker?

Last season, Gabriel Jesus scored just eight goals in his 36 appearances for Arsenal either side of his injuries.

And the season before, the Brazilian also only managed to score 11.

Clearly there’s room for improvement, and after Jesus was brilliant for Arsenal against Bayer Leverkusen, perhaps there’s reason to believe that this can be his season.

Jesus returned for Arsenal pre-season in outstanding condition, clearly determined to prove that he’s still a key player at the Emirates.

And with just nine days until the new season begins, he looks well poised to do so.