 Micah Richards believes Mikel Arteta still needs to find the right tactics for Arsenal's midfield following their 2-1 victory over Nottingham Forest on Saturday. Arsenal news, exclusives and analysis Sign up Privacy Policy The Gunners got their new Premier League campaign off to a winning start as first-half goals from Eddie Nketiah and Bukayo Saka gave last season's runners-up a commanding lead by the break. Taiwo Awoniyi pulled a late goal back for Forest but Steve Cooper's side were unable to find the equaliser as Arsenal held out for the victory. Declan Rice was handed his debut following his £105 million move from West Ham in the summer, but Richards feels the arrival of the England international has hampered Thomas Partey's impact in midfield. When asked what he thought of Arteta's midfield tactics, Richards said on BBC's Match of the Day: 'For me, I'm not sure it worked out today. 'Obviously, Partey started out in that right-back role and I could see the intent from the start of the game. Arsenal got their new Premier League season off to a winning start with a 2-1 victory over Nottingham Forest (AFP via Getty) 'What they wanted to do is Partey to go inside to leave all the space for Saka, so Saka can come to the ball in a one-versus-one situation, or he can go over the top. 'But the lacking of pace and fluidity in Arsenal's play… Arsenal are moving the ball left to right too slow. If you're going to play like this you need to move the ball from right to left, left to right as soon as possible to get them in these key areas where they're going to hurt them. 'It was a great result for them to get off with a win but I just think everything was a little bit too slow. 'People are asking how they are going to fit with Rice and Partey in this system, they tried it today and of course they've won but I just don't believe it worked exactly how they wanted it to work. 'With Zinchenk){kind=link}
NEWS… BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT
Micah Richards believes Mikel Arteta still needs to find the right tactics for Arsenal’s midfield following their 2-1 victory over Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
Arsenal news, exclusives and analysis
The Gunners got their new Premier League campaign off to a winning start as first-half goals from Eddie Nketiah and Bukayo Saka gave last season’s runners-up a commanding lead by the break.
Taiwo Awoniyi pulled a late goal back for Forest but Steve Cooper’s side were unable to find the equaliser as Arsenal held out for the victory.