Is Arsenal’s football really ‘dark arts’ or is it an unfair criticism?

Mikel Arteta is under pressure at Arsenal

Is Arsenal’s football really ‘dark arts’ or is it an unfair criticism?

Stephen Awino • 10:55 - 27.09.2024

Arsenal have come under heavy criticism with the way they set up against Manchester City with many labelling their style of play in that match the ‘dark arts’.

Arsenal FC have been on the receiving end of heavy criticism with their style of play in their most recent league matches against title rivals Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur.

The Gunners known for their vibrant, possession-based football have now been branded the masters of the ‘dark arts’.

This stems from the way Arsenal has set up defensively in the back-to-back fixtures, enjoying a lower amount of possession of the ball than they usually do against Spurs and City.

Having gone a man down after the sending off of Leandro Trossard, Arsenal played a majority of the second half defending their six-yard box only for John Stones to cancel out Gabriel’s header.

Liverpool legend and football pundit Jamie Carragher has been loudly spoken against Arsenal’s tactics, labelling the North Londoners as ‘cheats’.

“There’s one thing I do notice Arsenal doing more than anyone. I don’t know if the stats back me up I think the goalkeeper goes down a lot more than other goalkeepers in tense situations,” said Carragher via The Overlap

“The rule is a goalkeeper can’t go off so that’s definitely one that the coaching staff at Arsenal are more switched on about than anyone else. I see Raya go down in pressure situations,” claimed the Liverpool legend.

Fellow pundit and Manchester United legend responded by saying it was cheating to which the Carragher agreed.

Arsenal manager has since come out to defend his side against the claims issuing a cryptic warning.

“I have been there before. I was there (City) for four years. I have all the information. So, I know. Believe me," said Arteta in a press conference.