As the Premier League gears up for a thrilling match between Liverpool and Arsenal, Arne Slot, a prominent figure in football, has come forward to defend Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta. Despite recent setbacks and criticism aimed at Arteta, Slot commends his work with the Gunners.
Arteta has been under scrutiny since his team's Champions League semi-final defeat to Paris Saint-Germain. The North London side's form has dipped significantly since then, putting their second place in jeopardy. Additionally, their exits from both the Carabao Cup and FA Cup have raised questions about Arteta's leadership capabilities. Despite these challenges, Slot remains supportive of Arteta’s work at Arsenal. He believes that while there may be temporary setbacks on the field, it does not negate the overall efforts put forth by Arteta.
Arne Slot, Liverpool manager, said:
"Mikel has been working there for five years and he should get, in my opinion, a lot of credit for the way his team plays. Arsenal can play almost every style. It is a big accomplishment to have one style, but I saw Mikel's team play a different style at Paris Saint-Germain and another style in the home game against PSG.
"They can play off set-pieces. They can defend in a low block and be the dominant team, they can play a high-press. They can build up from the back or play the long ball. So every part of the game they are good - and that means it is difficult to analyse them because you don't know what you're going to face. Will they play on the ground or will they play long? Against Paris St Germain, every throw-in was long and they got two very big chances.
"I think Mikel deserves a lot of credit for that because the only way you can have that is if you work at a club for so many years and not all managers who have been at clubs a long time can play so many styles. That is special. You don't see it a lot."
Silverware drought
Since their 2020 FA Cup triumph early on in his tenure - which was seen as a promising start - Arsenal have failed to secure any more silverware under Arteta's guidance. This drought of trophies is one of the main reasons behind the growing criticism towards him.
However, it is important to remember that success in sports isn't always measured by trophies alone but also by progress made over time and player development – areas where some argue that Arteta has shown promise.
While critics question Mikel Arteta's ability as a leader due to recent disappointments on-field; supporters like Arne Slot continue to appreciate his efforts and contributions towards shaping up The Gunners' game. The upcoming match against Liverpool will be a crucial test for Arteta and his team, potentially setting the tone for the rest of their season.
