Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has increasingly being compared to Jose Mourinho rather than Pep Guardiola, following Arsenal’s draw with Liverpool on Sunday at the Emirates stadium. This shift in perception comes as Arteta adopts a more pragmatic and defensive approach, reminiscent of Mourinho’s style, rather than sticking to the possession-based philosophy he learned under Guardiola at Manchester City.
In the match against Liverpool, Arsenal initially dominated the first half but retreated in the second half, allowing Liverpool to come back into the game. This pattern of retreating after taking the lead has been observed in several matches this season, including draws with Brighton and Manchester City. Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher noted, “Mikel Arteta is slowly morphing into a Mourinho type of manager.”
Arteta’s Arsenal has been known for its defensive solidity, conceding the fewest number of goals in the Premier League last season. However, this defensive approach has sometimes come at the expense of attacking fluidity. Carragher pointed out, “You think: ‘Can you get on the ball? Can you go forward?’ To try and take the sting out of the pressure they’re under.”
Carragher’s comparison of Arteta to Mourinho is not meant as a criticism but rather an observation of how Arteta’s tactics have evolved. While Arteta worked under Guardiola, his current approach seems to be more aligned with Mourinho’s pragmatic style, focusing on winning through defensive strength rather than free-flowing attacking football.
As Arsenal continues to navigate through a challenging season with injuries and tough fixtures, Arteta’s shift towards a Mourinho-esque approach might be a strategic response to the team’s current limitations. Whether this tactical shift will lead to success remains to be seen, but it’s clear that Arteta is carving out his own managerial identity, distinct from his mentor Guardiola.
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