Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville isn’t holding back when it comes to Mikel Arteta’s cautious tactics at Arsenal.
After the Gunners’ 1-1 draw with Manchester City at the Emirates, Neville warned that Arteta “is going to regret this if he doesn’t take the handbrake off.”
The Arsenal boss has come under fire for his team selections in big matches, particularly his choice to drop attacking stars in favor of more defensive-minded players.
Arteta’s Risky Choices Against City
On Sunday, Arsenal rescued a late point thanks to a stunning Gabriel Martinelli lob, but the focus quickly shifted to Arteta’s decisions.
He left out Bukayo Saka and Eberechi Eze, instead opting for Mikel Merino and Leandro Trossard.
It wasn’t the first time either. Against Liverpool last month, he made a similar call by benching Eze for Merino — a move that many feel is becoming a pattern in games against the league’s top sides.
Neville Says Fans and Players Feel the Same
Speaking on Stick to Football, Neville made it clear he thinks both the supporters and the players are uneasy with Arteta’s cautious streak.
“I don’t think 60 or 70,000 Arsenal fans in the stadium can be wrong,” Neville said.
“And when he leaves out players like Eze and Martinelli, the dressing room will notice too. They’ll be thinking, ‘he’s done it again.’”
For Neville, Arsenal have missed chances to be braver. “He could’ve been more attacking at Anfield, he wasn’t.
He could’ve been more attacking against City, he wasn’t. He’ll regret it if he keeps holding back.”
Arteta Defends His Strategy
Despite the criticism, Arteta stood firm after the draw.
He pointed to Arsenal’s 68 percent possession against Pep Guardiola’s City as proof that the team dominated.
“To dominate City for 96 minutes — that’s something that hasn’t happened in 17 years of Pep’s management,” Arteta insisted.
“If people want to use the word ‘handbrake,’ then fine. But dominance and handbrake don’t belong together.”
The Spaniard made it clear he isn’t interested in the outside noise, saying he accepts criticism but will keep analyzing matches in his own way.
Selection Headaches Ahead
While Arsenal are battling to stay in the title race, Arteta’s job isn’t getting easier.
With Martin Ødegaard still sidelined, he now has to juggle Eze, Martinelli, Saka, Trossard, and Merino — all pushing for spots in the starting XI.
Eze, who came off the bench at halftime against City, was pivotal in the equalizer with a brilliant ball over the top to Martinelli.
That only adds more pressure on Arteta to give his attackers more minutes.
A Cup Win but More Injuries to Manage
The Gunners bounced back midweek with a 2-0 Carabao Cup win over Port Vale, where both Eze and Trossard found the net.
But the injury list remains a concern.
Ahead of their Premier League clash at Newcastle, Arsenal are expected to be without Ødegaard, Noni Madueke, and possibly William Saliba, who is also struggling with fitness.
What Comes Next?
Arsenal are still very much in the hunt, but questions about Arteta’s approach won’t go away anytime soon.
With Neville sounding the alarm, fans restless, and key players eager to start, the next few weeks could define whether the Spaniard loosens his grip or continues to keep things cautious.
One thing is certain: the calls to “take the handbrake off” are only getting louder.