October 27th 2024.
Mikel Arteta's playing style is being compared to that of other top managers in the Premier League. After Arsenal's recent draw with Liverpool, Jamie Carragher has raised doubts about whether Arteta is following in the footsteps of Pep Guardiola or Jose Mourinho. The game started well for the Gunners, who took the lead with a goal from Mikel Merino. However, in the second half, they seemed to lose their momentum and ended up conceding a goal to Liverpool's Mohamed Salah.
The injuries to Gabriel and Jurrien Timber forced Arsenal to become more defensive, a strategy that ultimately cost them the win. This has become a recurring trend for the team, where they seem to focus more on protecting their lead rather than continuing to attack. Carragher believes that this defensive mindset is more in line with Mourinho's style of coaching, rather than Guardiola's, who is often cited as Arteta's main influence.
Carragher's comments have sparked a debate about Arteta's managerial approach, with some suggesting that he is slowly turning into a "Mourinho-type" manager. The former Liverpool defender pointed out that in previous games, such as against Brighton and Bournemouth, Arsenal had similar instances of retreating and trying to protect their lead. This, according to Carragher, is a sign that Arteta is adopting Mourinho's tactics.
Arteta has often been praised for his attacking style of play and has been described as a Pep Guardiola disciple due to his time spent as his assistant at Manchester City. However, Carragher's observations seem to suggest otherwise. The way Arteta handled the injuries and the secrecy surrounding his team's fitness before the game are all tactics that are reminiscent of Mourinho's playbook.
After the game, Arteta acknowledged that his team needed to be braver in crucial moments in order to secure a win. He also admitted that they were the better team and created more opportunities, but lacked the courage to take risks in the final third. Despite the disappointment of not getting the win, Arteta remains determined to continue working on his team's playing style.
As the debate continues, it remains to be seen whether Arteta will stick to his attacking philosophy or adopt a more defensive approach. Many are eager to see if he will prove himself to be a true disciple of Guardiola or if he will continue to evolve into a Mourinho-like manager. One thing is for sure, Arteta will have to make some tough decisions in order to turn Arsenal into a top team once again.
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