Experts Criticize Arteta's Conservative Tactics After Arsenal Man City Draw

Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher have both criticized Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta for his overly cautious and defensive approach in the recent 1-1 draw against Manchester City, suggesting it could cost Arsenal the Premier League title. Both pundits noted that Arteta's choice to start with a conservative midfield trio and the lack of attacking intent in the first half led to Arsenal falling behind and needing late substitutions to spark any offensive momentum. Carragher highlighted that Arsenal wasted the first 45 minutes by playing with the "handbrake on," a strategy he fears could prevent them from winning the league despite having one of the best squads. Neville echoed this sentiment, lamenting the lack of risk-taking and creativity, emphasizing that winning the league requires sustained attacking pressure and more chances created, which Arsenal failed to produce. The comments reflect a broader concern that Arteta's defensive mindset in big games is reminiscent of past teams that were strong but ultimately fell short of winning the title. Despite a late equalizer from Gabriel Martinelli, both Neville and Carragher feel Arsenal's cautious tactics undermine their potential to dominate top rivals like Manchester City and Liverpool.