Former Crystal Palace owner Simon Jordan has defended Mikel Arteta for his comments following the 3-0 thrashing at the hands of Aston Villa.
Arsenal were swept aside by Dean Smith’s side after an own goal by Bukayo Saka and Ollie Watkins sent them on their way to back-to-back home defeats.
Speaking to talkSPORT (17/11/20 at 12:50 pm), Jordan launched a staunch defence of the Spaniard as he talked about his FA Cup victory in his debut season.
He said: “No [Arteta’s not wrong to be critical], the best way to disarm an argument is to agree with it. People are turning around and saying to him that ‘you are way off’.”
“You can talk about what he has or hasn’t done, but he has won a cup. Irrespective of where Arsenal are today after a result that didn’t look good on paper. He has won an FA Cup and brought a trophy to Arsenal.” (via talkSPORT (17/11/20 at 12:50 pm)
Was Arteta right to call out his players following the Villa loss?
Yes
No
Jordan is completely right in his assessment of Arteta’s comments, anything but calling out the players after what was an abysmal display would’ve been criminal. You can only nuture and care for your players so many times before you give them the proverbial kick up the backside.
The Spaniard’s comments weren’t just said off the back of a loss, but, a humilitaing loss. The Villains turned up to the Emirates Stadium and taught the Gunners a footballing lesson. Ross Barkley and Jack Grealish ran the show as Arteta’s defence was torn open time and time again.
Making excuses for players simply sets in a culture of comfort, which the Emirates Stadium outfit have already endured and been called out for during Arsene Wenger’s reign. Allowing lightining to strike twice would be foolish and should Arsenal harbour any hopes of winning a league title any time soon, Arteta will continue to take a hard stance on poor performances during his time in charge.
