The Gunners boss was not too happy about his side's 2-2 draw with Sunderland last weekend
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta speaks to Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta speaks to Sunderland heac coach Regis Le Bris
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Sunderland shout treat Mikel Arteta's 'sour grapes' after Saturday's 2-2 draw at the Stadium of Light as a huge compliment, with the Arsenal boss looking to deflect away from his team's performance.
The Spaniard felt the Black Cats were 'very disruptive' although did pay tribute to Regis Le Bris' men, who earned a point thanks to Brian Brobbey's late effort.
Speaking after a raucous clash on Wearside, Arteta said: “We had to navigate through a really tough game. We knew that - it was very disruptive. We had to deal with situations that are obviously difficult to deal with.
“They do it really well, and we conceded a goal that is not in our standards. But after that, I think the team reacted really well, showed a lot of personality and courage.
"We scored the first goal, then the second and the game was dominated. But in any moment, they just need a foul or a long throw, a direct ball to create that chaos."
However, former Arsenal and Manchester City striker Paul Dickov believes it's a sign that Sunderland are doing everything right, and has warned any side about how tough a visit to the Stadium of Light will be this season.
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"A little bit. But I think that's a huge compliment to Sunderland and how they went about it," he told Best Betting Bonuses.
"Nobody's going to have an easy game going up to the Stadium of Light this season. Not just because of the atmosphere but the way Sunderland play.
"Sometimes - not just Mikel but all managers - if they don't quite get a result they look at a way to deflect a bit from their performance.
"If they don’t get a result, and Arne Slot might do it this season again, you talk about the physicality of teams and set pieces.
"I just think that is clever for them because it deflects away from a result, which everybody thought before the game that Arsenal would have won.
"But I think if you're going to go up to Sunderland and expect a nice, easy footballing game, you're a little bit deluded.
"You should know what to expect and know what you're going to get before you actually go there. It’s going to be high energy.
"They're going to be in your faces, there will be long balls. They want to rough you up and you've got to be prepared for that."