Mikel Arteta has been under the spotlight lately, especially after being spotted with his notepad during Arsenal’s game on Saturday.
It seems he might have some clever strategies up his sleeve.
Time-Wasting or Tactical Genius?
Throughout this season, Arsenal has faced accusations of stalling the game, particularly during dead-ball situations.
Critics have pointed out that Arteta’s squad seems to employ what some call football’s “dark arts.”
This tactic has sparked quite the debate among pundits.
For instance, Ian Wright gave a thumbs-up to Arsenal’s approach, while Roy Keane was less forgiving, criticizing the team after their draw with Manchester City last month.
Insights from Arteta’s Notes
Following Arsenal’s impressive 3-1 victory over Southampton, some intriguing details about Arteta’s tactics came to light when his notes were caught on camera.
One of the sheets featured a red header and footer and appeared to map out positions on the field, alongside various instructions.
Unfortunately, the specifics were tough to read, leaving fans and analysts curious.
However, one noticeable principle read: “Force AR 6 yard.”
This likely refers to former goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, suggesting a strategy to encourage him to play out from his six-yard box.
Another part of the notes said, “Force our…” but the rest remained concealed under Arteta’s hand.
A final bullet point simply stated: “Avoid switch…”
Tactical Success
It’s clear that Arteta’s strategy bore fruit, as Arsenal secured all three points thanks to goals from Kai Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli, and Bukayo Saka.
The Divide on Tactics
The Gunners’ tactics during last month’s intense 2-2 draw against Manchester City have continued to spark debate.
After Leandro Trossard received a red card just before halftime while the team was ahead 2-1, Arsenal faced heavy scrutiny.
While many praised their ability to frustrate City, who scored their equalizer only in the dying moments of the match, others labeled it as mere time-wasting or even reliance on “dark arts.”
Sam Allardyce Weighs In
Former England manager Sam Allardyce shared his thoughts on Arsenal’s tactics during a talkSPORT appearance.
He commended how Arteta’s squad disrupted City’s rhythm, recalling how he employed similar strategies during his time at Bolton Wanderers in the 2000s.
When asked if he was a “master of dark arts” during his managerial days, Allardyce responded playfully, “Aren’t we all when we need to be?”
He added that when facing the best teams, especially with ten players, it’s perfectly acceptable to do what’s necessary to secure a positive outcome.
“What a sterling job they [Arsenal] did of it. There’s always going to be time-wasting,” he noted.
Replaying the Controversy
After the Gunners were criticized for their “dark arts” during the City match, footage resurfaced showing them intentionally stalling during a significant game against Liverpool at Anfield last year.
With these tactical discussions in mind, what might be next for Arsenal?
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