Mikel Arteta Dismisses Claims of Arsenal’s Lack of Physicality in New Midfield Setup
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has responded to criticism that his new-look midfield lacks physicality. Following the Gunners’ 2-0 defeat against Manchester United, where Declan Rice and Kai Havertz both started, Arteta defended his team’s setup and emphasized the need to find the right balance.
Last season, Granit Xhaka occupied the role that Havertz played in the recent match. However, Xhaka has since moved to Bayer Leverkusen, prompting questions about the team’s attacking approach. Arteta addressed these concerns, stating, “We have to find the right balance but a year ago Granit could never play as an attacking midfielder. Let’s try to do the work. It’s the first time we played with four players inside, and three of them had never played together, ever. So ‘tranquillo’.”
Arteta acknowledged the importance of allowing new players to settle in and build chemistry. He also challenged the notion that his midfield lacks physicality, pointing out that Havertz, who stands at 1.91m tall, brings a different kind of physical presence to the team. He stated, “Physical is to run, to run in behind, run forward, to tackle, to defend. He will fit in with the qualities we have for sure, and the good thing is that we have options in midfield. When we want a game to become more physical, we have the options to be very, very physical.”
With Xhaka’s departure, there is now a vacancy for the vice-captain position behind Martin Odegaard. Arteta revealed that he has not yet decided whether Gabriel Jesus, who was the third captain last season, will assume the role. He explained that more time is needed to ensure clarity in roles and avoid potential changes due to the unpredictable nature of the transfer market.
Jesus, when asked about taking on more responsibility in Xhaka’s absence, emphasized his leadership style, stating, “I’m the type of captain who doesn’t talk a lot but I show with my actions. I run, I fight, I want to win, I put a lot of the emotions from my head into my game. I always try to help young players. I’m still young, but everyone sees me as an experienced player here, so I want to help everyone with my actions and how I speak as well.”
Arteta also drew parallels between last season’s fast start, driven by the team’s disappointment in missing out on Champions League football, and the potential for a similar unifying effect this season. He believes that the team’s growth and belief in their abilities will propel them to new heights in the upcoming challenging season.
As Arsenal prepares for the new campaign, Arteta remains confident in his midfield setup and the options available to him. He is determined to strike the right balance between attack and defense while harnessing the physicality and qualities of his players. With a united and motivated team, Arsenal aims to make a strong push for the Premier League title.
In conclusion, Mikel Arteta has addressed concerns about Arsenal’s midfield lacking physicality and emphasized the need to find the right balance. He defended his team’s setup and highlighted the qualities that each player brings to the midfield. With Xhaka’s departure, Arteta is yet to decide on the vice-captaincy position, but Gabriel Jesus remains a potential candidate. Arteta believes that last season’s disappointment can fuel the team’s determination for success in the upcoming season. Arsenal fans can look forward to an exciting and challenging campaign under Arteta’s guidance.