BREAKING NEWS: Arsenal criticized for using ‘strange’ tactics and playing like a ‘newly-promoted team’ in their match against Tottenham.
Former Premier League striker Dean Ashton has criticized Arsenal for playing in a style reminiscent of a newly-promoted team during their North London derby match against Tottenham Hotspur.
The Gunners faced Spurs at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, marking their first clash of the season. Both teams had chances to score in the first half, with close efforts from Gabriel Martinelli and Dominic Solanke. However, Tottenham enjoyed more possession, while Arsenal spent much of the half defending against their long-standing rivals.
At halftime, Ashton, a former West Ham United striker, voiced his disapproval of Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta’s tactics during a talkSPORT segment. He remarked, “To be honest, if I hadn’t known better, I would’ve thought this Arsenal team was newly-promoted, setting up in a deep 4-4-2 formation with speedy wingers tasked to defend and break only when possible. They haven’t really attempted to play through Tottenham’s press or exploit gaps out wide. It’s been a peculiar strategy from Arteta.”
Throughout the first half, Arsenal’s midfielders, Jorginho and Thomas Partey, struggled to maintain possession and push the team forward, as Spurs’ James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski kept them pinned back. Additionally, Ben White and Kai Havertz had unusually quiet performances, with White facing challenges against Son Heung-min on the right, and Havertz failing to make an impact while filling in for the injured Martin Odegaard.
Despite their struggles, Arsenal managed to get on the scoresheet late in the game, as Gabriel Magalhaes headed in a Bukayo Saka corner to give the Gunners a goal.