‘Man with an inferiority complex’ Fans tear into Mikel Arteta over embarrassing pre-match presser

Last Updated on 25 September 2025

Mikel Arteta’s defensive team selection in the 1-1 draw between Arsenal and Manchester City got him a lot of criticism.

The Arsenal manager selected four players with experience of playing at centerback, as well as, three central players profiled as defensive midfielders.

Many analysts were shocked with the team selection, especially with fully fit Eberechi Eze on the bench, who later came on to assist Arsenal’s only goal in the game.

And now, Arteta has come under more criticism after choosing to defend his team selection.

‘They could not believe what we did to Manchester City’, as Mikel Arteta defends decision

Speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of the League Cup game against Port Vale, Arteta claimed his selection was spot on.

He also mentioned getting messages from other coaches, managers, and bizarrely ‘CEOs’, who were praising Arsenal’s performance.

While Arsenal kept Manchester City’s offense to a minimum, the game still ended in a draw. In fact, it was Pep Guardiola’s intentional game plan that led to a defensive display rather than Arteta’s tactics.

That draw, along with some of the other results that season have invited criticism from figures like Roy Keane. Meanwhile, the Mirror reported that, even Ian Wright wasn’t particularly happy with the team selection.

But Arteta blasted critics on claims of being cautious. He said, “If you look at the players that we have, starting from the keeper – very attacking goalkeeper, the most attacking goalkeeper in the league by far.”

Arteta added, “The centre backs, one of them the most attacking one, in one phase the most attacking one.”

He also pointed out that his midfield is not defensive, “Martin Zubimendi playing there. We played with a player on the right-hand side as an attacking midfield, he played as a No9 last year. So how attacking that is, more than a No9 playing in midfield?”

‘Arteta’s lost the plot!’ Fans rip into Mikel Arteta after bizarre comments

Most fans couldn’t believe the rant Arteta went on. One fan claimed that the Arsenal gaffer had ‘lost the plot’. Another pointed out how his ego was very fragile.

Even some Arsenal fans couldn’t believe that Arteta was defending his tactics when Manchester City were clearly there for the taking.

Meanwhile some Gunners were raging with the Manchester City draw, and called out Arteta’s poor selection.