sportbible homepage
sportbible homepage
  • Football
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • Home
  • Football
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • World Cup
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Manchester United
    • Liverpool
    • Arsenal
    • Real Madrid
    • Barcelona
  • Formula 1
    • Red Bull
    • Ferrari
    • McLaren
    • Mercedes
    • Max Verstappen
    • Lewis Hamilton
    • Lando Norris
    • George Russell
    • Charles Leclerc
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • More Sport
    • Tennis
    • Golf
    • NBA
    • NFL
    • Darts
    • Athletics
    • Rugby
    • Wrestling
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Archive
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Snapchat
TikTok
Threads
YouTube
Submit Your Content Here
  • LADbible
  • Tyla
  • GAMINGbible
  • LADbible Group
  • UNILAD
  • FOODbible
  • UNILAD Tech
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

google discoverFollow us on Google Discover

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.

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

Advert

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.


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.

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..."

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

Recommended reads

Dennis Taylor interview: Why snooker legend is playing in brand-new event... and how he saved someone's lifeGettyRanking the top 10 best golfers of all time as Nicklaus v Woods GOAT debate settledGetty ImagesDavid Munyua and Peter Wachiuri interview: 'We wish for major PDC players to come and visit Kenya'Getty / Instagram/@wachiuridartsMark Selby lifts lid on backstage talks over Crucible as landmark agreement reachedGetty

Advert

Choose your content:

5 hours ago
9 hours ago
10 hours ago
14 hours ago
  • Getty Images
    5 hours ago

    Fabrizio Romano announces huge Man City call to let second legend leave for free

    First Bernando Silva and now this. A legendary City team will have to be rebuilt.

    Football
  • Getty
    9 hours ago

    Liverpool ready to ditch 2025 summer signing after just a year with replacement identified

    His time could already be up.

    Football
  • Hoda Davaine/Getty Images)
    10 hours ago

    Premier League legend set to appear on The Traitors as celebrity lineup leaks

    One of the biggest names in Premier League history is set to feature on the popular series.

    Football
  • Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images/beIN Sports
    14 hours ago

    Richard Keys makes extraordinary claim about Mikel Arteta's future at Arsenal after Man City loss

    The former Sky Sports presenter has made an outrageous claim about the Arsenal boss.

    Football
  • 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