Former striker Darren Bent has now explained why so many football fans dislike Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta.
Mikel Arteta has come in for plenty of criticism for his habitually energetic and passionate touchline behaviour. Michael Owen has also previously called the Arsenal boss “classless” for some of his post-match comments and actions.
Whilst the Spanish coach is a beloved figure at the Emirates Stadium, he is not idolised in the same way by many fans of other clubs.
It is easy to see why Arteta is such a divisive figure. His antics in the dugout do catch the eye, as he frantically gesticulates and barks instructions almost relentlessly throughout every match. He is also prone to making bold statements to the press, ranging from branding controversial officiating decisions a “disgrace”, to insisting that he wants to normalise substituting goalkeepers within matches. Anyone going against the grain in football is bound to attract criticism and detractors.
Arteta, or his players, will not mind this. In fact, cultivating an ‘us against them’ mindset in a dressing room can be helpful for a squad, binding them together as a tighter team unit.
Darren Bent also believes that Arteta is just one of a number of divisive figures in the Premier League. Speaking on talkSPORT, he said, “I haven’t got a problem with him, his antics on the sidelines. I can understand why they would wind other people up. And that’s another one of those classic scenarios where when he’s one of your own, you ain’t got a problem with it. But when he manages elsewhere, you hate him.”
The ex-England man even compared Arteta to Brazilian attacker Richarlison, who plies his trade for Tottenham Hotspur. Bent said, “example, probably the biggest one, Richarlison. If he played for your club, you’d probably love the antics. The fact that he doesn’t, you absolutely can’t stand him.”
Mikel Arteta methods working at Arsenal
As long as Arsenal keep winning matches, and remain part of the title race, no fan of the club will care what other supporters think of Arteta or the way he approaches the job. As things stand, the manager’s methods are certainly working. The Gunners are currently only one point behind leaders and reigning champions Manchester City in the Premier League table, and have only suffered one league defeat so far this season.
Whilst Arsenal’s football has not always been outstanding this season, the north London club have found a way to grind out positive results. Legendary former goalkeeper David Seaman has even confessed his surprise at how many points the club have managed to pick up.
Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville has tipped Arsenal for the title this season, and does not believe that their slightly underwhelming performance levels are anything to worry about at this stage. If everything goes to plan, then the Gunners will manage to hit top form in the second half of the season when it really counts.
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