Hollywood superstar defends Mikel Arteta from dark arts claim but pinpoints the issue holding Arsenal back
Yesterday at 05:12 PM
Mikel Arteta has been accused of employing the “dark arts” this season.
Opposition teams have become frustrated with Arsenal over delays from set-pieces and goal kicks, as well as other efforts to take the sting out of games they are winning.
Arteta was heavily criticised for the way he set his team up during a clash with Premier League title-chasing rivals Manchester City in September.
Leandro Trossard was sent off in the first half, and the north London side came out after the break looking to protect their 2-1 lead.
A number of Arsenal stars went to ground and called for treatment during the second half, with the likes of David Raya, Riccardo Calafiori, Gabriel Martinelli and Jurrien Timber later accused of deliberately breaking up play.
If they were trying to waste time, their efforts were in vain, as City grabbed a 98th-minute equaliser to ensure the points were shared thanks to John Stones.
Post-match, the defender went on to suggest Arsenal had used "the dark arts" for a few years now.
That is a claim that Arteta has rejected, arguing his players have not been faking injuries or wasting time.
Regardless, there is no doubt his tactics at times this season have been causing a stir, but according to one Hollywood star, that isn’t a bad thing.
Will Poulter, who has starred in movies including The Maze Runner, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 and Midsommar, as well as hit TV show The Bear, is a big Arsenal fan.
He recently appeared on the US Overlap podcast to discuss the club’s efforts so far this season.
“I take issue with people having a pop of us for maybe being boring, when we have had to emphasise a defensive approach,” Poulter said.
“For 10 years, I heard people saying Arsenal were soft, that we needed to embrace the dark arts and we didn't have that gritty edge, didn’t know when to sit in.”
While the actor clearly believes defensive tactics have been beneficial for the club, he shared frustration that the Gunners have not been able to capitalise on rivals City slipping this season, with Liverpool now sitting top of the league.
“The season does feel a bit different in respect of how many points you might expect teams to drop,” he continued.
“City losing four games in a row, that shocks me as much as it delights me, but I think we are going to see teams drop points over the course of the season.
“It does upset me that we haven’t capitalised. Historically there are times where you want Arsenal to go for the jugular with someone who has dropped points, and we haven’t.
“Great teams – who win back-to-back championships – do that. They handle the pressure of that.
“I just hope things can pick up later in the season.”
