Mikel Arteta defends Arsenal amid accusation of using ‘dark arts’

Arsenal was accused of using “dark arts” to grind out a point in Sunday’s box office match against Manchester City, but Mikel Arteta has defended the team.

John Stones scored a thrilling equalizer to deny the Gunners victory at the end of the match, keeping City atop the Premier League and two points ahead of their primary contenders for the championship.

At half-time, Leandro Trossard was sent off, and Arsenal had to park the bust for the duration of the second half.

Many felt Arteta’s side got their just desserts when they conceded with virtually the last kick of the game having put everyone behind the ball for 45 minutes and seemingly instructed their players to waste time.

Speaking passionately ahead of Wednesday night’s Carabao Cup tie against Bolton, Arteta launched a vehement defence of his side’s approach and cited a 5-0 defeat against City two years ago as a factor that motivated Arsenal’s safety first game plan.

‘We had to play the game that we had to play,’ he said. ‘In the first 10 or 15 minutes we couldn’t. 11 against 11, then we got much better and obviously were thrown into a very different context. Every team does.

‘They played 30 seconds with 10 men. Look at what they did, it’s normal what they did for 30 seconds. We had to do it in a different way.

‘We learned from the past as well because unfortunately we’ve been in that situation three times. One was with Granit after 37, 38 minutes and we conceded how many?’ We lost 5-0. We’d better learn. If not I would be very thick.’

Arsenal’s performance drew comparisons with the tactical approach, Arsene Wenger’s nemesis, Jose Mourinho used to employ with great success in big games between Chelsea and their north London rivals.

Mourinho was often accused of employing ‘anti-football’ but Arteta conceded he has been partially influence by a manager who ultimately broke Arsenal and Manchester United’s Premier League duopoly.

‘You learn a lot from all the top coaches and you try to understand why they’ve been successful and what really touches that team that makes it special and consistent, especially at this level, and the amount of games we play,’ said Arteta.

‘You might have an idea of where the game will go, but if it goes in a different direction, do you have the ability to adapt and be happy to play that game. Because that is the level we are in.’

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