Mikel Arteta Under Fire After Arsenal Defeat and Eze Criticism
Following Arsenal’s narrow 1–0 defeat to Liverpool at Anfield, Mikel Arteta has found himself at the center of a storm—not just for the result, but for his post-match comments aimed at new signing Eberechi Eze. The midfielder, who made his debut in the high-stakes clash, missed a key opportunity in the box, and Arteta’s reaction has ignited backlash from fans and pundits alike.
In his post-match interview, Arteta said, “You have to put the ball in the back of the net… Eze is completely through just to finish the action.” While the comment was factually accurate, many viewed it as unfair to single out a debutant, especially in such a tense, pressure-filled fixture. Eze had only been on the pitch for 20 minutes, yet was quickly placed under scrutiny by his manager.
Arsenal supporters were quick to react on social media. Many felt Arteta had thrown the young midfielder “under the bus,” with one fan writing, “Singling out Eze like this in his first game is awful by Arteta, man.” Others questioned the manager’s decision to bring Eze on so late in the match and then publicly criticize him afterward.
The criticism of Arteta, however, runs deeper than just one comment. For many, the frustration stems from a pattern in his tactical approach. Several pundits, including Arsenal legend Emmanuel Petit, have openly criticized the team’s lack of attacking bravery. Petit stated, “I get bored watching this Arsenal team,” highlighting the lack of creativity and dynamism in midfield, especially with key players injured.
Arteta’s cautious tactics against top teams have also come under fire. His decision to wait until the 70th minute to introduce Eze and Martin Ødegaard was seen as overly conservative, especially with the game deadlocked. The Sun and other outlets accused Arteta of lacking the courage to take control of big matches, pointing to Arsenal’s poor away record at grounds like Anfield and the Etihad.
Defensively, Arsenal looked organized, but their attacking transitions lacked urgency. The choice to start Mikel Merino in midfield was explained post-match as a fitness-based decision, yet it did little to quell criticism. The Guardian reported that while Arteta intended for Arsenal to be attacking, the execution lacked cohesion.
In truth, Arteta’s comments about Eze may have been meant as an honest assessment, but in context, they exposed broader frustrations with his management. With fans growing restless and expectations high, the pressure is now on Arteta to find the right balance between control and creativity. As for Eze, how he responds to this criticism could define his early Arsenal career.
Ultimately, Arteta’s future success at Arsenal may depend less on individual errors and more on whether he can evolve tactically and show more faith in his attacking players—especially new ones still finding their feet.