Mikel Arteta hits back at critics following Arsenal's Premier League draw against Manchester City - 'Never happened in 17 years of Pep'
Published 23/09/2025 at 21:25 GMT+1
Arsenal dominated possession during their Premier League encounter with Manchester City on Sunday, but could only snatch a point against Pep Guardiola's side in a score draw. Gunners boss Mikel Arteta came under fire for the way he set his team up, but has been defensive about his selections following the game. "How can you be dominant against such a team with a handbrake?"
Arteta addresses 'handbrake' criticism, 'gutted' Madueke 'a big miss' for Arsenal
Video credit: SNTV
Mikel Arteta has responded to critics following Arsenal's 1-1 draw with Manchester City in the Premier League on Sunday.
Gabriel Martinelli came off the bench to save The Gunners, scoring in the 92nd minute to cancel out Erling Haaland's first-half opener and steal a point.
Following the game, Arteta came under fire for being overcautious after starting a midfield three of Martin Zubimendi, Declan Rice and Mikel Merino, who was likely included in place of the injured Martin Odegaard.
The Spaniard also left new signing Eberechi Eze on the bench and opted for Leandro Trossard on the left of striker Viktor Gyokeres, with Noni Madueke to the right.
Arteta's side held Man City to their lowest-ever possession in over 600 games under Pep Guardiola - 32.8% - but that did not stop the criticism after Arsenal failed to pick up three points.
"I would be extremely surprised," Arteta said when asked if he had read any of the backlash.
"With my knowledge, know-how and how I analyse a football game, it was impossible for me to predict such dominance from Arsenal for 96 minutes. It has never happened in 17 years of Pep as a manager.
"How can you be dominant against such a team with a handbrake? Dominance and handbrake - they are two different words. But I accept everything.
"I was just surprised by it. When I saw everything and watching it back with all the stats, I was surprised.
"I respect everyone's opinion. If I can see and learn something that I haven't seen, more than happy to do so. That's never an issue."
'Easy to say' Eze should have started
Eze, who signed for Arsenal in a ÂŁ67.5 million deal in August, produced the crucial assist for Martinelli to equalise.
"I don't think one player makes that when you see the behaviour of our team," Arteta said on his decision not to start Eze.
"If you are going to define that with one player playing in that position, I understand collective sport in a very different way.
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"We played Ebs [Eze] on the right-hand side. Could he play 90 minutes? That's a question I put for myself because none of you know the load that he can do.
"It's easy to say he could have played at the start, but maybe not. Because he's already played two games from the start and he's never played as a right-hand side attacking midfielder. That's another one, a new element for him. All good."
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Video credit: TNT Sports
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