• Football
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • Home
  • Football
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • Lionel Messi
    • Cristiano Ronaldo
    • EA FC 25
    • Wrexham
  • Boxing
    • Tyson Fury
    • Anthony Joshua
    • Oleksandr Usyk
    • Mike Tyson
    • Jake Paul
    • Logan Paul
  • UFC
    • Dana White
    • Conor McGregor
    • Khabib Nurmagomedov
    • Jon Jones
    • Paddy Pimblett
    • Joe Rogan
  • Other Sport
    • Athletics
    • Formula 1
    • MMA
    • Motorsport
    • NBA
    • Darts
    • NFL
    • Snooker
    • Wrestling
    • Tennis
    • Cricket
    • Golf
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube
Mikel Arteta slammed for 'ridiculous' decision he made in PSV game

Home> Football> Football News> Arsenal

Updated 19:41 12 Dec 2023 GMTPublished 17:39 12 Dec 2023 GMT

Mikel Arteta slammed for 'ridiculous' decision he made in PSV game

Supporters can't get their head around it.

Joe Adams

Joe Adams

Arsenal fans have been left baffled by one of Mikel Arteta's decisions during their draw against PSV Eindhoven.

The Gunners played out a 1-1 stalemate in their final group-stage game of the Champions League, with Yorbe Vertessen's strike cancelling out Eddie Nketiah's first half goal.

Fortunately, there was very little pressure on the north London side, having already secured top spot of Group B following a comprehensive 6-0 victory over Lens.

Advert

However, fans couldn't believe Arteta's tactical decision around the hour mark, labelling it 'ridiculous'.

Mikel Arteta chose a centre-back pairing of William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes for the match, his first-choice pairing in that position.

At first glance, it would appear to be a strange decision when considering the low stakes of the occasion, with many supporters insisting the pair should have been given a rest.

Advert


But fans were even more shocked by Arteta's substitutes in the second-half.

The Spaniard chose to bring on captain Martin Odegaard, Ben White and Declan Rice in the 60th minute - despite having academy products Ethan Nwaneri, Lino Sousa and Reull Walters on the bench.

Advert

Gabriel Jesus and Emile Smith-Rowe then came on with three minutes of normal time to play, further baffling supporters.

Taking to social media to express their frustration, one person tweeted: "Wtf are we doing? Give those kids a chance FFS it means literally nothing."

Another added: "What’s the actual point I don’t get it, give the youth the run out at least, ridiculous decisions."

A third chimed in: "Why the hell are you risky 1st team players! You have 3 kids on the bench.. this is a nothing game give them experience..."

Advert

While a fourth wrote: "Why… this game is meaningless. We never give the academy kids a chance. Walters, ESR, Nwaneri all should guaranteed play.."

Featured Image Credit: Getty

Topics: Arsenal, Champions League, Football, Mikel Arteta, PSV, William Saliba, Fan Reactions

Joe Adams
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.

X

@joeadamsjourno

Advert

Advert

Advert

  • Luton staff 'taken aback' by what Arsenal players did in the away dressing room at Kenilworth Road
  • “He didn’t…” William Saliba reveals strange mind game Mikel Arteta played to gauge his character
  • Mikel Arteta identifies number of points that will win Arsenal the Premier League
  • William Saliba set to sign new contract "very soon" in major boost for Mikel Arteta

Choose your content:

2 mins ago
an hour ago
2 hours ago
  • 2 mins ago

    Steph Houghton reveals exactly what she thinks about Leonardo Bonucci in new post after crunching Soccer Aid tackle

    The former Lioness captain has spoken out after the controversial incident during Soccer Aid.

    Football
  • an hour ago

    Trent Alexander-Arnold sent stark warning by Xabi Alonso just days into Real Madrid career

    The former Liverpool star has been sent a warning by his new Real Madrid ahead of the Club World Cup.

    Football
  • 2 hours ago

    Gareth Bale to front shock takeover bid for English club as 'behind the scenes' talks revealed

    The Tottenham Hotspur legend could be set to make a shock return to England.

    Football
  • 2 hours ago

    Trent Alexander-Arnold labelled a snake by most unlikely of Liverpool sources

    Trent Alexander-Arnold's move to Real Madrid has led to him being called out by many Liverpool fans and in some cases others as well.

    Football