Souness slams Mikel Arteta and mocks Arsenal for ‘nonsense’ tactics

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info

Graeme Souness has torn into Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta for his attempts to make away matches more welcoming for his squad. The Liverpool legend says players in his day would have laughed at the innovative tactics the Spaniard comes up with.

Arteta raised many eyebrows during the Arsenal: All or Nothing documentary which was released by Amazon last year. It showed the different styles of team talk the former Gunners skipper gives to his players last season.

It appears he has taken it to another level this term. Pictures of post-match celebrations in away dressing rooms have shown up how Arteta attempts to make the players feel as if they are at home.

Words synonymous with Arteta’s process such as “Identity”, as well as pictures of the players, are stuck on the wall for them to see as they arrive. After last Sunday’s win at Fulham, the squad posed with a small version of the famous clock that sits on top of the Clock End at the Emirates Stadium.

Read more…
Man Utd takeover – Qatar ‘make U-turn’ after visiting Old Trafford [LATEST]

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta reviews Sporting Lisbon

Some fans came up with different theories behind the celebration. But it was an imaginative plan from Arteta to make the players feel as comfortable as possible.

But Souness has ridiculed the idea. He says the last thing he wanted as a player when he arrived at an away game was to feel comfortable.

The Scot has described it as “nonsense” and says Arteta is only getting away with it because Arsenal are doing well. Souness wrote in the Mail: “Is this what the modern game has become?

“So Arsenal players arrive at Fulham, as it was last weekend, or Crystal Palace on Sunday to find their own clock is on the wall along with their own pictures and stickers?

Don’t miss…
Man City instructed to replace Haaland despite 39 goals this season [OPINION]
Lineker speaks on ‘disproportionate’ BBC row in first TV appearance [QUOTES]
Sheikh Jassim reps ‘want to develop two departments’ at Man Utd [REPORT]

“It’s madness and the kind of thing a manager can get away with while he is winning but not so much when he is losing. Arteta is doing a fine job but he has form for such nonsense.

“Last season he had ‘You Will Never Walk Alone’ played over the loud speakers at training to prepare his players for a game at Anfield. They lost 4-0 so that went well for them.

“When I walked into an opposing dressing room I didn’t want to feel comfortable. I didn’t want to feel like I was in my living room at home. I was at work. I was on enemy territory and I wanted to feel fired up.

“If I had arrived at an away ground to find a clock from Anfield waiting for me on the wall I would have burst out laughing. And I would not have been alone.”

Want the latest Premier League news as we publish it on Express Sport? Join our new Facebook group by clicking here

Source: Read Full Article