Having started the 2021/22 Premier League season with two consecutive defeats, Arteta was under a lot of pressure and scrutiny, with an impressive part of the club’s fanbase demanding the sacking of the Spaniard.
The game against Manchester City was vital in the broader scheme of things for the North London outfit, as they would have wanted to avoid being in the relegation zone heading into the international break.
However, none of Arteta’s plan worked against Guardiola’s well-oiled City team, who completely dominated the Gunners throughout the ninety minutes. Ilkay Gundogan opened the scoring in the 7th minute, and just five minutes later, Ferran Torres doubled the advantage for the hosts.
To make things even worse. Granit Xhaka’s reckless double-footed tackle got him sent off in the 35th minute, and from there onwards, Arsenal struggled to get hold of the ball.
For understandable reasons, Arteta been on the receiving end of harsh criticism after the match, but Guardiola has defended his former number two.
“I work two or three years together, I learned many things from him. He is above and beyond a good manager. The correct personality, leading, he is incredibly loved by all of us. We were sad when he left,”
the Manchester City manager said after the match, as per quotes in Daily Mail.
Highlighting Arteta’s lack of options, Guardiola further added
“Sometimes people expect and want results immediately. The team he played today is not the team he dreamed because they have six, seven, eight injuries – really important players. Ben White, Thomas Partey, he cannot use the players that he needs to.All the managers need the squad.”
Mesut Ozil mocks Arteta’s ‘process’
The Spaniard might have received backing from Guardiola, but one of his former players in Mesut Ozil has taken a different route.
Mocking the 39-year-old’s ‘process’ of rebuilding Arsenal, the former Germany international wrote on Twitter:
