Mikel Arteta Praises Arsenal F.C. Squad After Tough FA Cup Win Over Mansfield Town F.C. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta against recent criticism. Moyes spoke on Friday, March 13, 2026, ahead of his team’s Premier League away match against Arsenal. He dismissed claims that Arsenal’s reliance on set-pieces and physical play is a problem.
Moyes didn’t hold back. He said,
“You are making it sound as if that’s a problem because they are good at set-pieces and they are a strong, physical side. I don’t see any problem with any of that. It’s part of the game.”
His comments came as Arsenal leads the Premier League. The Gunners also topped their Champions League group, but some still question their playing style.
Embracing Tactical Diversity
The veteran manager underlined his desire for different approaches in football. He wants variety. “I would hate to be going to football matches all the time and seeing football only played the one way. I want teams to play different styles and in different ways,” Moyes stated. This pushes back on notions of a single “beautiful game.”
Arsenal’s style has come under fire recently. Critics point to an over-reliance on set-pieces. They say the team lacks exciting football. This talk grew louder after Arsenal’s 1-0 win over Brighton earlier in March.
Brighton manager Fabian Huerzeler even accused them of time-wasting. But Huerzeler later softened his stance. He sent Arteta a text message, praising his work. He called it “incredible.” Arteta himself has stayed firm, ignoring the accusations.
A Shared History, An Evolved Manager
Moyes has a personal connection with Mikel Arteta. He brought Arteta to Everton as a player during his first spell managing the club. Moyes spoke about Arteta’s growth as a coach. He sees him as one of the “unbelievable managers” who have evolved their teams. Moyes noted that Arteta has been able to keep his team at the top. This despite the pressure to always play a certain way.
This debate over playing styles isn’t new in the Premier League. We’ve seen it with pragmatic teams like Mourinho’s Chelsea against possession-based sides. It’s about results versus aesthetics. Arsenal’s strong physical game and set-piece prowess are key to their current success. Everton, on the other hand, fights for survival. They embody the practical football Moyes often champions.
Game Week Ahead
Arsenal heads into Saturday’s match against Everton as Premier League leaders. Their form is strong. Moyes’ comments could offer a psychological boost to Arteta and his squad. It reinforces their approach. For Everton, the focus remains on getting points. They need them for their survival battle. Defender Jarrad Branthwaite might return for Everton. His presence could make a difference.
Some players have good records against certain teams. Gabriel Jesus, for instance, has a strong history against Moyes’ Everton. This might influence Arsenal’s lineup choices. But Moyes’ main point stands. Different styles make the game richer. He doesn’t want to see football played just one way. And that’s something fans can agree on.
