Every mission needs ambition. Mikel Arteta’s cautious approach to such an important game against Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday felt like a betrayal of the travelling Arsenal fans’ hopes. It felt like a game of chess when Arsenal’s manager moved only pawns and rarely committed to advance freely across the board. Arteta’s side managed a solitary shot on target. It all felt a wasted opportunity, and a sizeable setback to Arsenal’s title chances. No risk, no reward, no points, only regrets.
When Martin Ødegaard came on after 69 minutes, he passed Declan Rice a quick-release energy gel. Arsenal’s midfield were flagging, even the usually tireless Rice. Liverpool were gradually taking control, their more positive mindset paying off and building towards a narrow, but seismic victory over their main rivals for the Premier League. Arsenal needed more than an isotonic for the troops. They needed an adrenaline shot to a mindset shaped by Arteta’s restraint. Arsenal have finally bought a target-man, Viktor Gyökeres, and failed to provide him any real service at Anfield.
Not even the most flavoursome of athletes’ gels could sweeten the sour taste of Arteta’s approach. He started three defensive midfielders, including Mikel Merino, a good player but limited creatively. He packed his backline with centre-halves and started Gabriel Martinelli, a skilful but shot-shy winger mainly appreciated for contributing defensively.
Arteta’s meek methods ran against the enterprising examples of other Premier League managers like Oliver Glasner, Andoni Iraola and Eddie Howe who all detected an early-season vulnerability in Liverpool and went for the jugular. Glasner’s Palace beat Liverpool on penalties to win the Community Shield. Iraola’s Bournemouth rattled Liverpool who needed late goals to prevail. Howe’s Newcastle lost an epic match 3–2 but certainly made a game of it, playing a man down but with their hopes up. They were brave. Arteta wasn’t.
