Arteta not willing to wear flip-flops in the rain

Today at 02:30 AM

Mikel Arteta has responded to criticism of his team’s playing style in the 2-2 draw with Man City last weekend, insisting people need to understand the context of how games are played.

The Gunners were reduced to 10 men just before half-time, and the manager’s approach was to take off Bukayo Saka, put Ben White on, and try to defend the lead. It nearly worked, as we know, but John Stones late goal earned City a point they probably didn’t deserve on the day.

Ahead of our game against Leicester on Saturday afternoon, the Arsenal boss was asked about comments made by the likes of Roy Keane and Graeme Souness which suggested the defensive effort was ‘small time’ and showed an ‘inferiority complex.

“I want to win the way we prepare the games,” he said, “and the way we want to play in our style but … understanding the context.

“I want to wear flip-flops and shorts and t-shirts, but with this weather, I think I would be very silly to do that. I better get the umbrella.

“Oh but Mikel. What are you doing?”

“No! I’m very brave!

“Yeah, but tomorrow you are sick.”

Pressed further on the intensifying rivalry with City, and criticism of his tactical approach, Arteta responded, “Well, I prefer this much more than somebody clapping my back after the game saying, ‘Well done, you guys are going in the right direction’.”

“A team has to control and dominate every single scenario. If you want to compete at the level that we are in against the opposition that we have, you have to be the best in the world at doing almost everything in football.”

Certainly things at Etihad appear to be a bit fractious, with Pep Guardiola reportedly ‘furious’ at some comments made by Arteta – read the Arseblog opinion on that in today’s blog.

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