Mikel Arteta's 'handbrake' tactics are ripped apart by Jamie Carragher and Roy Keane as Arsenal boss is accused of 'wasting 45 minutes' during late 1-1 draw with Man City - and told he praises his players too much
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Jamie Carragher and Roy Keane criticized Mikel Arteta's tactics after Arsenal's 1-1 draw with Manchester City, describing Arsenal as wasting the first 45 minutes of the match by playing too cautiously. Both pundits pointed out that Arsenal appeared to have the "handbrake on," showing hesitation and a lack of attacking intent in the first half, which allowed City to dominate possession and control the game.
Carragher emphasized that Arsenal's defensive setup and conservative approach led to a slow start and limited offensive threat, which was uncharacteristic given the home advantage. He suggested that Arteta's initial game plan was overly cautious and restricted the team’s natural playing style.
Roy Keane echoed these views, calling for Arsenal to abandon the timid tactics and show more ambition, especially against a team like Manchester City. He stressed that the Gunners needed to play with intensity from the outset rather than holding back and then reacting late in the game.
The second half saw Arsenal improve dramatically, particularly after the introduction of Gabriel Martinelli, who was credited with revitalizing Arsenal's attack and ultimately earning them a valuable point. This change of approach demonstrated what the team could achieve when releasing the "handbrake" and playing with more freedom.
Both Carragher and Keane conveyed the message that while Arteta's careful strategy might work in some scenarios, against top sides it risks conceding too much control early on. They advocated for a more balanced approach that combines defensive solidity with proactive attacking to exploit home advantage and challenge Manchester City's dominance effectively.
In summary, the critique focused on Arsenal's slow start and cautious tactics in the first half that almost cost them the game, urging Arteta to adopt a more assertive style from the kickoff, as the second half showed Arsenal's potential when they pushed forward with greater confidence.
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