Former Liverpool midfielder Graeme Souness has criticized Arsenal manager for his touchline behavior while also suggesting that Arsenal still have a point to prove in the title race.
Despite being firmly in contention for the Premier League title alongside Liverpool and Manchester City, Souness believes Arsenal must continue to demonstrate their mettle.
In a column for the Daily Mail, Souness expressed his thoughts on Arsenal’s performance, acknowledging their past stumble in the title race but noting their current resilience.
He stated, “They did bottle the title race last year, there’s no other way of putting it, but they look richer for the experience now.”
Souness commended Arsenal for displaying composure and quality on the pitch, emphasizing their improved cohesion as a team.
Souness concerns about Arteta
However, Souness raised concerns about Arsenal’s manager touchline demeanor, suggesting that the Arsenal manager may be overzealous in his actions.
He remarked, “I’m just not sure if Mikel Arteta goes too far with his antics on the touchline.” Souness cautioned that while passion is admirable, Arteta’s behavior could potentially lead to trouble.
Regarding Arteta’s animated reactions, Souness speculated that they might be an attempt to engage the crowd but warned of the consequences if Arsenal’s form were to decline.
He highlighted the need for Arsenal manager and the team to maintain their composure, particularly with ten matches remaining in the season and the pressure mounting.
Souness reflects on bottlers tag
Reflecting on Arsenal’s history of relinquishing leads, Souness emphasized that consistent victory is the only way to dispel doubts about their mentality.
He asserted, “For Arsenal, they’ve had a fabulous year but the only way to get that monkey off their back about being title bottlers is to carry on winning.”
Souness stressed that sustained success is essential for silencing critics and affirming Arsenal’s title aspirations.
In summary, Souness’s assessment underscores the importance of Arsenal’s continued performance and Arteta’s management of his emotions in the pursuit of the Premier League title.
