David Moyes has no problem with how Mikel Arteta's Arsenal play ahead of Everton's trip to the Emirates Stadium
David Moyes embraces Mikel Arteta
David Moyes embraces Mikel Arteta(Image: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
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Everton manager David Moyes has defended his opposite number at Arsenal, Mikel Arteta, before his side’s trip to the Emirates Stadium on Saturday evening.
Despite being top of the Premier League, still in the Champions League and FA Cup plus having reached the Carabao Cup final, the Gunners have been criticised by some observers for the way they play.
David Moyes first brought Arteta to England when he signed him for Everton from Real Sociedad in 2005 and when speaking on his former player in his pre-match press conference, he said: “They’ve done brilliant, Arsenal. Mikel has done brilliant.
“I know they’ve been runners-up to Man City, but there’s absolutely no shame in that given how good Manchester City have been over the last decade.
“He’s done a brilliant, brilliant job at Arsenal, he’s got a great team, and I think they’ve probably got as big a chance this year of winning the league as they’ve ever had.
“They’re right in the mix for the Champions League, the League Cup, they’re in the FA Cup. So, I’d have to question the people who have been critical, that’s for sure.”
One of the areas of focus on Arteta’s Arsenal side has been their reliance on set-pieces, but Moyes doesn’t see any problem with that.
When asked about Everton having to combat such threats, the Glaswegian gaffer replied: “What’s up with any of those things you say? You making it sound like that’s a problem because they’re good at set-pieces.
“They’re a strong, physical side and I don’t see a problem with any of that – it’s part of the game. If there’s this thing out there where everybody has to play the beautiful game, and everything has to be perfect, well, if we all did that it would be boring.
“Part of the reason you people are talking about it is because it might be slightly different than what we’ve seen for a few years. It’s given you something to talk about.
“I would hate to be going to football matches all the time and seeing football played the one way. I want teams to play different styles, I want them to play different ways.
“We’ve got some unbelievable managers, and Mikel is one of them, who have come into this country and shown us what they can do, but maybe they can’t stay with it and do it all the time? You can bring something in, but you need something that is going to work.
“Mikel has been able to evolve his team and move it on. He’s certainly got a very good team at the moment.”