Peter Schmeichel has suggested that Mikel Arteta's intense control over the team could be hindering Arsenal's progress.
As the Gunners wrap up another trophy-barren season under Arteta's leadership, Schmeichel shared his thoughts on ViaPlay. The Manchester United legend said: "It's all on Arteta, all.
"What I'm saying is, he was employed as head coach. He inherited the team and that team is the only team that he has won a trophy with.
"Then it's his own team and then in the process, he's now changed the job description so he's now the manager. Everything is on him.
"It's not recruitment, it's not the board. Whenever they [fans] get the opportunity today, watch him in the technical area.
"Arteta is a control freak, he wants his players to play the ball that he wants. He's directing everything.
"You look across to Arne Slot who's so calm. He's instructed his players in training, instructed the players in the team talk.
Peter Schmeichel speaks
Peter Schmeichel has savaged Mikel Arteta (Image: Getty Images)
"Arteta is still playing the game for the players and that would confuse the hell out of me as a football player that you had a coach that wants to direct me for everything I do. It would confuse me and make me a worse player."
And it's not just Schmeichel who has picked up on Arteta's management style, reports the Mirror. Jamie Carragher has also pointed out a shift in Arteta's behaviour, suggesting he might be edging towards excuses for Arsenal not securing trophies.
The Sky Sports pundit said: "He's driving high standards but what really stood out in the interview, and in the last couple of weeks in his press conferences, is that he's getting emotional and at times he's sounding a little bit like a fan, not the manager.
"He was really strong on how many players they've had sent off this season. He's putting his hands up saying six.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MAY 2: Jamie Carragher during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Wolverhampton Wanderers FC at Etihad Stadium on May 2, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
Jamie Carragher has also questioned Mikel Arteta's management (Image: Getty Images)
"I think he's convinced inside that they have been victims in some ways, with the sendings off and injuries they have had. I think deep down he thinks they could have won the league without this and that.
"There's no doubt they would be a lot closer but the sendings-off are down to you. They weren't all sendings-off, but that can happen in a season.
"The injuries have hit them this season but they also played for them last season. What they have done in terms of competing Man City in the last two seasons is fantastic but a lot of that was down to having the same eight or nine players week in, week out, and him never rotating."
As it stands, Arsenal look set for a second-place finish with two games remaining, although the side dropped points on Sunday during their 2-2 clash with Liverpool at Anfield.
With Newcastle United just two points behind them and battling for their own runners-up spot – the Gunners may need to ensure wins over the Magpies and Southampton later this month to hold their position.
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Arsenal Manager Mikel Arteta, Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Jesus with the Arsenal Therapy Dog Win during the Arsenal Men's team group shoot at London Colney on September 18, 2023
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