Arsenal supporters have not held back in their criticism of Mikel Arteta’s tactical approach following the tense showdown against Manchester City at the Emirates Stadium. Although the Gunners managed to salvage a late equalizer, largely thanks to the influence of yet another impact substitute, the result did little to silence the growing concerns about the team’s overall strategy and decision-making. For many fans, the performance was a reminder that Arsenal still struggles to match City’s efficiency and composure on the biggest occasions.
The spotlight of the debate has firmly fallen on Arteta’s choice to leave marquee summer signing Eberechi Eze out of the starting lineup. Many felt that the creative midfielder could have been the difference-maker from the outset, offering Arsenal the unpredictability and spark needed to unsettle City’s well-drilled defense. Instead, Eze was left waiting on the sidelines, and supporters were quick to argue that his late introduction came too late to influence the game in a decisive way. The frustration lies not only in the decision itself but in the recurring theme of Arteta’s reluctance to trust his new recruits in high-stakes encounters.
As the dust settles, criticism of Arteta has intensified. A vocal section of the fanbase has described his decisions as naïve, overly stubborn, and at times even childish, particularly when compared to the measured brilliance of Pep Guardiola. The City manager once again demonstrated his ability to outthink and outmaneuver his former protégé, reinforcing the gap that still exists between the master and the apprentice. For Arsenal supporters, watching Guardiola dominate tactically has become an all-too-familiar narrative in recent years, leaving them to question whether their manager has truly learned enough to overcome the challenge.
Beyond the tactical missteps, deeper doubts are beginning to surface regarding Arteta’s capacity to elevate Arsenal into genuine title contenders. While his project has undeniably delivered progress in terms of style and squad development, many fear that his shortcomings in high-pressure matches could ultimately derail the team’s ambitions. The clash with City was not just about the dropped points but about what it symbolized — a lack of conviction when it mattered most. Unless Arteta can prove that he has the tactical versatility and decisiveness to match the best, pressure from within his own fanbase will only continue to mount.
