Paul Scholes Slams Arteta and Guardiola with ‘Worst Coaches Ever’ Jibe After Dull Draw

Paul Scholes slams Arteta and Guardiola after Arsenal’s 1-1 draw with Man City, branding their cautious tactics as worthy of the “worst coaches ever” tag.

Manchester United legend Paul Scholes has sparked heated debate as he slams Mikel Arteta and Pep Guardiola as managers who looked like the “worst coaches ever” during Arsenal’s 1-1 draw with Manchester City at the Emirates Stadium.

The highly anticipated clash lacked the attacking flair fans expected, leaving Scholes unimpressed despite the tactical battle between two of football’s most respected managers.

Scholes Slams Arteta and Guardiola Over Negative Approach

Speaking on The Good, The Bad and The Football podcast, Scholes tore into both managers’ game plans:

“If they’d have been two English coaches yesterday, we’d have been saying: ‘Worst coaches ever, the worst style of football we’ve ever seen.’ But because it was them two they get away with it, don’t they?”

He argued that both managers set up their teams too defensively, with little risk-taking or attacking intent.

Scholes singled out Arteta’s team selection, which included Martin Zubimendi, Declan Rice, and Mikel Merino in midfield, while leaving creative playmaker Eberechi Eze on the bench.

Fellow pundit Jamie Carragher also criticized the decision, suggesting Arsenal wasted the first half by lacking attacking creativity.

‘Negative’ Football and Title Concerns

Scholes claimed Arteta’s cautious tactics were reminiscent of outdated English football:

“It was a very negative team, I thought. He’s almost gone back 20 years… Be cautious at first, be safe and try to get through the game.”

He went further, questioning Arsenal’s bravery in big games, warning that such an approach could cost them the Premier League title race.

Despite Gabriel Martinelli’s late equaliser cancelling out Erling Haaland’s opener, the result left Arsenal in second place—five points behind league leaders Liverpool.

Scholes’ explosive comments underline the growing frustration among fans and pundits who want to see more attacking ambition from managers of Arteta and Guardiola’s stature.

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