Arsenal boss Arteta blasted as a ‘clown’ and told to focus on two things ‘he can control’

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Former Chelsea striker Chris Sutton is not impressed with Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta.

Mikel Arteta reacted strongly in the wake of Arsenal’s recent defeat to Newcastle United as he blasted the referee and VAR in a furious post-match rant.

The Arsenal boss branded the decision to allow Newcastle’s controversial goal to stand a “disgrace.”

The north London club themselves latterly spoke out in support of the Spanish coach, releasing an official club statement backing Arteta’s comments.

Arsenal and Arteta have been on the receiving end of plenty of criticism. Former Newcastle United striker Michael Owen has made it clear that he felt Arsenal’s actions were unbecoming of the club.

Now, Chris Sutton has piled in with his view on Arteta’s comments. Speaking on the It’s All Kicking Off podcast, Sutton said, “I thought he made himself look a bit of a clown. I know everybody can say: ‘Well, it’s great and it’s emotional game’. And I get that. But while he’s berating the officials, what about him controlling things which he can control?”

“What about his [Arteta’s] insistence to play [Kai] Havertz? You know, how many more times is he going to give him a chance at Arsenal? He’s trying to win a Premier League [title]. What about [David] Raya flapping at the cross [that led to the goal]? He can control those things.”

“So while he’s having a pop left, right, and centre at the PGMOL and the referee on the day, maybe he should look at himself.”

Mikel Arteta knows his Arsenal side needs to evolve

Arteta will not be ignoring his own side’s flaws. Arsenal were “toothless” in attack at St James’ Park. Even if the Gunners feel that they didn’t deserve to lose, it is hard to argue that they were worthy of a win.

Equally, Kai Havertz has continued to struggle in recent weeks. Having failed to find his best form since his arrival from Chelsea in the recent summer transfer window, the pressure is growing on the 24-year-old German to step up and deliver at the Emirates Stadium. Many Arsenal fans were impressed by what they saw from Havertz on Tyneside, but he still needs to find his killer instanct in the final third.

David Raya is also yet to truly shine since become the club’s first choice goalkeeper ahead of Aaron Ramsdale.

Arteta will be working on these issues, and striving to find ways that his team can improve. That is a separate issue from the Newcastle goal being given, though, and doesn’t detract from the fact that the manager had a valid grievance.