Rooney Backs Arsenal's Playing Style
Wayne Rooney urged Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta to ignore "very unfair" criticism of the team's playing style, saying "If teams can't deal with it, do it more." The advice comes as Arsenal face scrutiny for their tactical approach despite remaining top of the Premier League table and strong across competitions.
Mikel Arteta's tactical approach, influenced by his time with Pep Guardiola, emphasizes a structured yet fluid 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 formation. This style prioritizes defensive solidity and building from the back, often adapting mid-game with strategic substitutions and formational shifts to counter opponents. Criticism of this style has come from pundits like former West Ham and Newcastle boss Alan Pardew, who called their performances "functional" and suggested a title win should come with an "asterisk" due to perceived time-wasting. Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler also accused Arsenal of "making their own rules" after a 1-0 defeat. Some of the negative commentary has focused on Arsenal's attacking methods, with pundit Jamie O'Hara labeling them the "worst team in the league for percentage of goals from open play" earlier in the season due to their reliance on set-pieces. This narrative stems from their effectiveness from dead-ball situations, having scored a joint-record 16 Premier League goals from corners in a single season. Despite the critiques, Arsenal's defensive record is formidable, boasting one of the lowest expected goals against in the league. The central defensive pairing of William Saliba and Gabriel has been crucial, allowing the team to hold a high line and quickly regain possession. This tactical setup has placed Arsenal in contention for a potential quadruple, as they sit seven points clear at the top of the Premier League, have reached the FA Cup quarter-finals, face Manchester City in the EFL Cup final, and are in the Champions League round of 16 against Bayer Leverkusen. Historically, Arsenal under Arteta has evolved from a team criticized for being "soft" to one that is defensively resilient. The current approach is seen by some as a necessary adaptation to opponents who often employ deep defensive blocks, forcing Arsenal to find solutions through structured possession and set-piece dominance.
