Mikel Arteta has hit back at critics who roundly criticised his ‘handbrake approach’ in Arsenal’s 1-1 draw against Manchester City on Sunday.
Arteta received a barrage of blame for his cautious tactics, which saw him start a midfield three of Mikel Merino, Martin Zubimendi and Declan Rice, with Leandro Trossard at left wing.
That left Ebere Eze and Gabriel Martinelli, who scored in injury time, on the bench before being brought on later in the game.
Gary Neville questioned whether the Gunners believe they can win the league after claiming that Arteta had to ‘take the handbrake off’ against a Man City side who just had 32.8 per cent possession — the lowest total in Pep Guardiola’s managerial career for a league match.
Ahead of Arsenal’s third round Carabao Cup tie against League One side Port Vale, when asked if he was surprised by the ‘handbrake’ comments and criticism, Arteta said: ‘I don’t read it, but he [media officer] does tell me what the narrative is around it.
‘I would be extremely surprised with my knowledge and my know-how and how I analyse a football game.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has hit back at critics of his approach to the draw with Manchester City on Sunday
Arteta started the likes of Mikel Merino (pictured) before withdrawing him at half time
Gary Neville raised eyebrows at Arteta having to ‘take the handbrake off’ against a Man City side who just had 32.8 per cent possession
‘Because it was impossible for somebody to predict such a dominance from Arsenal throughout 96 minutes, because it has never happened in 17 years of Pep as a manager.
‘So if the narrative goes somewhere else, how can you be dominant against such a team if you have, what was the word, ‘handbrake’? Dominance and handbrake – they are two different words. But I accept everything. I will learn more to have a different vision.
‘When I saw everything and watching it back and all the stats, I was surprised. But I respect everybody’s opinion. And if I can see and learn something that I haven’t seen, I’m more than happy to do so.’
Meanwhile, Arteta confirmed Noni Madueke is out for a few weeks with a knee injury.
Madueke underwent scans on Monday after injuring his right knee during Sunday’s match.
The winger was seen clutching his right knee towards the end of the first half of the game and was replaced at half-time by Bukayo Saka.
Arteta said: ‘Yeah, he’s going to be out for a few weeks. We don’t really know yet, probably we’re going to have to do a scan next week again. He felt something at the beginning of the match, he tried to carry on and at half-time he was too sore, so that’s it.
‘It doesn’t look too bad.’
