Mikel Arteta: 'I'm Ready to Hear Arsenal Fans' Criticism'
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta expresses his readiness to accept criticism from fans following the team's recent performances, emphasizing the importance of meeting high expectations.
Mikel Arteta, Arsenal manager, has acknowledged the inevitability of facing criticism from the club's supporters, especially after recent results. Following a 0-0 draw against Everton at the Emirates Stadium, which marked the team's second consecutive Premier League stalemate, Arteta addressed the media regarding fan expectations.
"Naturally, criticism is part of working at a club like Arsenal," Arteta stated. "Here, you always have to win, and when that doesn't happen, you must be ready to hear criticism. It's part of our job."
Arteta expressed disappointment over the draw with Everton, noting the team's dominance and control throughout the match. He highlighted that Arsenal prevented Everton from registering any shots on target and maintained control up to the final third but failed to secure the three points.
Regarding individual performances, Arteta praised Gabriel Martinelli, stating, "He played very well and deserves all the praise he receives. Martinelli has always been professional, and I'm pleased with his performance."
Arteta also addressed the substitutions of Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard. He revealed that Rice had been experiencing discomfort since the previous week, leading to a precautionary substitution to avoid further injury. The decision to substitute Odegaard was described as purely tactical.
When questioned about a late incident in Everton's penalty area, Arteta admitted he hadn't seen the play and couldn't provide a comment.
These remarks underscore Arteta's understanding of the pressures associated with managing a top-tier club like Arsenal and his commitment to addressing both team performance and fan expectations.