Former Arsenal defender, Gael Clichy, has openly criticized his former club and their current manager, Mikel Arteta, claiming that the Gunners are showing signs of lacking true ambition in the ongoing English Premier League title race.
The Frenchman, who played under Arsene Wenger, expressed disappointment, insisting that Arsenal has lost the trademark identity they once had during Wenger’s reign. According to Clichy, the team under Arteta has become more defensive-minded, relying heavily on set-piece strategies instead of attacking football and creativity from open play.
Speaking with Metro, Clichy said:
“Arsenal is slowly moving away from the identity Arsene Wenger created. The attractive football, fluid passing, and attacking dominance are hardly visible anymore. These days, people talk less about how well Arsenal plays and more about how tough they are to break down or how strong they look at set pieces.”
Clichy emphasized that while it is clear Arteta is attempting to implement his own style, it comes with a concerning drawback — the perceived lack of ambition. He highlighted Arsenal’s recent match against Liverpool, pointing out that the team appeared more focused on avoiding defeat rather than pushing aggressively for victory.
Clichy’s comments echo the sentiments of some Arsenal fans who believe that while Arteta has tightened the team defensively, the club’s attacking philosophy — once the hallmark of Arsenal under Wenger — has diminished. The debate continues among fans and pundits about whether Arteta’s pragmatic approach will eventually deliver long-term success or if it has cost the club its true identity.
Kindly Share:
Discover more from LMSINT STORE
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
