Mikel Arteta makes honest admission over "war Arsenal cannot win" amid Man City criticism
Arsenal host Leicester on Saturday afternoon with fall out from last weekend's draw away to Manchester City still rumbling on - yet for Mikel Arteta the debate around streetwise approach is one that he cannot win
by Alan Smith · The MirrorMikel Arteta has claimed that Arsenal “cannot win” having transformed from soft-centred to one of the Premier League’s most streetwise teams.
Six days on from the fiery draw at Manchester City, in which several of the champions’ stars criticised Arsenal for their use of the “dark arts”, Arteta is eager to avoid the topic — because he will be criticised either way.
But the Gunners boss knows mixing their style up depending on the opposition is mandatory if they are to win the title and end his former employer’s dominance.
“That is a war you cannot win, no?” he said ahead of today’s visit of Leicester City. “On this side, ‘I don’t like it’. On this side, ‘I don’t like it.’
“So where do I go? Don’t get involved in it. It doesn’t make any sense. It is very clear, you look from outside and you are not going to get involved here.
“I want to win, the way we prepare the games and the way we want to play, for sure. In our way. But understanding the context.
“I want to wear flip flops, shorts and a t-shirt, but with this weather? I think I would be very silly to do that. ‘I am very brave.’ Yeah but tomorrow you are sick.”
Arteta has instructed his squad to write down the biggest challenge posed by Leicester. And those messages, designed to combat any risk of a hangover from the City draw, have been plastered on the dressing room walls.
Join the debate! Do you agree with Arteta's comments on the dark arts? Let us know here.
Jurrien Timber and Ben White could feature having trained yesterday but David Raya is a major doubt because of his thigh injury sustained last weekend.
His expected absence means Neto, a deadline day arrival from Bournemouth, will debut in goal. “He has played in various countries, at the highest level in different roles,” Arteta said of the Brazilian. “He is someone we can throw in at any moment.”
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