Arsenal are seven points clear at the top of the Premier League and face Mansfield Town in the FA Cup on Saturday, but a former Premier League manager has criticised Mikel Arteta's approach
08:52, 06 Mar 2026
Mikel Arteta
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Mikel Arteta's approach has been slammed
Arsenal will be switching their attention from the Premier League to the FA Cup this weekend as they take on League One outfit Mansfield Town on Saturday. The recent atmosphere surrounding the Gunners has been shaped by the aftermath from Wednesday evening's hard-earned 1-0 triumph over Brighton.
Arsenal are now seven points ahead at the Premier League summit after Manchester City were held to a 2-2 draw by Nottingham Forest. The victory has ignited a fierce discussion regarding the team's playing philosophy, with Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler delivering a scathing critique of Arteta's approach.
A former Premier League boss has also criticised the Gunners for their style of play. Arsenal are also confronting the possibility of losing one of their young talents. The Daily Star Sport examines the situation more closely.
SINGAPORE, SINGAPORE - JULY 26: Arsenal Manager Mikel Arteta talks to Myles Lewis-Skelly during the Arsenal training session at Singapore Sports Hub on July 26, 2025 in Singapore. (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
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Myles Lewis-Skelly has fallen down Mikel Arteta's pecking order(Image: David Price, Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
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Star tipped for departure
Former Arsenal forward Alan Smith reckons there is 'every chance' that Gunners prospect Myles Lewis-Skelly will depart the north London outfit this summer.
The 19-year-old established himself as a regular under Arteta last campaign but has struggled for playing opportunities this season. The midfielder has mainly been deployed at left-back in the senior squad and was even selected for England international duty.
Lewis-Skelly appeared 42 times for Arsenal in 2024/2025 and Smith remains uncertain whether the youngster sees his future at the club, despite being tied to Arsenal until 2030.
"It's been a really challenging campaign for Myles Lewis-Skelly, hasn't it? He's trailing two players, really, for the left-back position," Smith told BestBettingSites.
"If he did receive an opportunity, I'd quite fancy seeing him in midfield. That's his role. Just observe how he performs there. He's not the strongest of defenders, so it benefits him more in midfield. He's genuinely inventive.
"I believe it'll likely serve as a shop window for him. I think there's every possibility he might depart in the summer. We'll discover regarding that."
Premier League title warning
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 06: Alan Pardew speaks on Sky Sports during the Premier League match between Southampton and Newcastle United at St Mary's Stadium on November 06, 2020 in Southampton, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Newcastle United/Newcastle United via Getty Images)
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Alan Pardew savagely criticised Arsenal's style of play(Image: Newcastle United/Newcastle United via Getty Images)
Former Newcastle United and West Ham manager Alan Pardew has boldly claimed that Arsenal's potential Premier League triumph should be marked by an asterisk if they proceed to capture the championship this campaign.
The Gunners sparked debate with their midweek victory over the Seagulls. Brighton manager Hurzeler condemned Arsenal's tactics, which witnessed goalkeeper David Raya collapse three times with injury whilst the Gunners managed merely seven attempts on target.
Speaking to talkSPORT, Pardew addressed Arteta's cautious strategy this season. He said: "When I'm looking at them with my football manager's head on, they're so professional. They do every bit of gamesmanship to get it over the line.
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"There'll be an asterisk next to their name [If they win the league] because you've only got to look at them really in these types of performances and say it's just a functional display. It's a professional, functional display. They're good, they're strong, they're powerful. But there is nothing beautiful about them. That's the truth."
Following his team's defeat, Hurzeler remarked: "I will never be the kind of manager who tries to win in that way. If I ask everyone in the room, did he really enjoy this game?".
"I'm sure maybe one raises his arm because he's a big Arsenal fan. Where will this go in the future? Is this what the supporters are paying for?"