Mikel Arteta Fires Back at Arsenal's High-Profile Critics: 'Managers, CEOs, Presidents'
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta launched a passionate defense of his squad's performance against Manchester City last weekend, claiming that while supporters may have been disappointed, coaches, executives and club officials from across the football world delivered a completely different assessment.
The Gunners secured a 1-1 stalemate with City at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, earning a valuable point through Gabriel Martinelli's late equalizer. Arsenal had trailed after Erling Haaland's early ninth-minute strike and found it difficult to create clear-cut opportunities against an unusually cautious Pep Guardiola setup.
Arteta faced criticism for his team selection—especially a central midfield trio consisting of the conservative combination of Mikel Merino, Martín Zubimendi and Declan Rice—and was generally criticized for adopting overly cautious tactics by frustrated fans on social media.
The Spanish tactician had a completely different perspective—one which was apparently echoed by numerous other football personalities. "I received many messages on my phone, they were amazed by what we accomplished against Manchester City," Arteta declared. "Individuals who work as coaches, managers, executives, club presidents."
Arsenal restricted City to merely 33% ball possession, the lowest percentage ever achieved against a Guardiola side, which Arteta clearly viewed as evidence of his team's supposed control.
Arteta: Dominance and Handbreak Two Different Words
"I don't follow it [the criticism], but I do receive some information about what the general discussion involves," Arteta explained to reporters before Arsenal's match against Port Vale. "If you inform me that this [negativity] represents the primary viewpoint, I would be genuinely shocked if that's accurate. Based on my expertise and understanding, and how I evaluate a football match, it was inconceivable for anyone to anticipate such control from Arsenal across 96 minutes because it has never occurred in 17 years of Pep [Guardiola] managing teams.
"So if the discussion shifts elsewhere and we discuss control, about other aspects, how can you maintain control against such opposition if you're being overly cautious? Control and caution represent two distinct concepts, but I acknowledge all perspectives. I will continue learning to develop a different outlook," he concluded with evident sarcasm.
Arteta also directed his frustration toward those questioning his tactical choices. "I don't believe that one individual determines that," he responded sharply. "When you observe our team's approach, if you're going to characterize that based on one player in one role, I comprehend team sports in a fundamentally different manner.
"Then we utilized Ebz [Eberechi Eze] on the right flank. Could he complete 90 minutes? That's a consideration I evaluate myself because none of you understand the physical demands he can handle. So it's simple to suggest he should have started, perhaps not, because he already featured in two consecutive matches and has never operated as a right attacking midfielder."