"Arteta has gone overboard..." - Pundit claims Arsenal manager is to blame for his side's recent dip in form

Former Liverpool midfielder Graeme Souness reckons Mikel Arteta's touchline antics are going "overboard" and having a negative impact on Arsenal's performances.

The Gunners dropped valuable points to title rivals Manchester City on Wednesday, losing 3-1 to at the Emirates.

The evening got off to a terrible start after Takehiro Tomiyasu shortchanged Aaron Ramsdale with a loose back pass into the path of Kevin De Bruyne who improvised brilliantly to loop the ball over the helpless keeper.

But much like they have all season, Arsenal responded quickly through Bukayo Saka who drew his side level from the penalty spot.

However, the second half saw a collapse in concentration, and a clinical edge to Pep Guardiola's side as Jack Grealish and Erling Haaland ensured all three points in north London as they went top of the league.

Arteta was his usual animated self on the touchline, playing every pass and appealing every decision.

There was also a brief altercation with De Bruyne in the technical area after Arteta appeared to prevent the Belgian taking a quick throw, leading to a good old fashioned shove off.

"Arteta has gone overboard"

The Gunners boss has come under a storm of criticism for his passionate outbursts of emotion during games, often sprinting up and down the touchline when decisions aren't given in his favour.

And Souness believes his behaviour is starting to have a negative impact on the players, stating he has gone "overboard".

"Arsenal have looked a very nervy bunch for a whole month now – and in part that stems from Mikel Arteta and his antics on the touchline," Souness told the Daily Mail.

"The wild celebrations. The falling out with rival managers. The conduct towards officials. All of this will have had an impact on his players, both live and when they've seen it played back.

"Arteta has gone overboard because this is all new to him. As a player, he bordered on being son-in-law material – you wouldn't be unhappy if you walked through the door with your daughter – and I can never remember him aggressively going after anyone.

"Yet he's now turning up on a match-day with an angry head on. I don't believe this is helping the cause."

Souness isn't alone in his thoughts either. Alan Shearer branded his behaviour against Newcastle "disrespectful", suggesting he needed to "have a word with himself".

However, others have praised the Spaniard's passion and commitment to the cause, with Arsenal legend Ian Wright claiming "that's just the way he is" and that people are only taking notice because he is doing so well.

Topics: Mikel Arteta, Arsenal, Manchester City, Graeme Souness, Premier League, Football

Joe Adams

Joe is a Journalist for SPORTbible with a primary focus on football. He has previously covered a number of other sports including boxing, rugby and F1. Wishes he was born left-footed.

@joeadamsjourno