**Arteta Applauds Ancelotti’s Legacy but Calls Out Key Errors in Arsenal’s Dominant Win**
Following Arsenal’s emphatic win over Real Madrid, manager Mikel Arteta took a moment during his post-match press conference to share both praise and pointed criticism directed at Carlo Ancelotti.
While acknowledging Ancelotti’s legendary status, Arteta didn’t shy away from highlighting tactical choices he believes worked in Arsenal’s favor.
> “No doubt, Ancelotti is one of the finest coaches in football,” Arteta stated. “But even the best make mistakes. Yesterday, there were decisions that disrupted their control and gave us the edge.”
**Where It Went Wrong for Madrid**
Arteta highlighted several key moments where he felt Ancelotti’s decisions opened the door for Arsenal:
**Midfield Substitutions:**
> “When he removed Kroos and Valverde, it created space for us,” said Arteta. “Suddenly, we were able to dictate play through the middle and exploit gaps in their lines.”
**Tactical Shift:**
> “They changed their formation too soon,” he added. “Madrid dropped back too deep, and from there, we took control.”
Arteta also suggested that Ancelotti misjudged Arsenal’s late-game intensity.
> “You can’t give us that kind of freedom late on. The momentum turned, and they couldn’t recover.”
**A Respectful Warning**
Despite the critique, Arteta remained respectful, acknowledging the experience and stature of his Madrid counterpart.
> “He’s a role model for many of us. But every manager has games where things don’t go right — and this was one of them.”
The remarks have sparked heated debate online, with many applauding Arteta’s honesty while others see it as bold to call out a figure like Ancelotti. Regardless, Arteta’s message is clear — tactical sharpness wins at the highest level, and even football’s most decorated managers aren’t immune to being outmaneuvered.
With the possibility of another showdown looming, the tension between Arsenal and Real Madrid just got a little more personal.
