Former Liverpool defender Steve Nicol has criticized Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta for his recent comments. He urged the Spaniard to be a "normal coach" and not feed lines to the reporters.
The Gunners are set to host Sporting CP in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals second leg on Wednesday. They have a 1-0 lead from the first leg. In his pre-match press conference, Arteta said that his feeling is of "pure fire" and he has no fear.
Former Liverpool defender Steve Nicol reacted to this on ESPN and said:
"No fire, either, somebody's put a fire out. There's a few ashes at the bottom. He just keeps going giving, doesn't he? He just keeps on giving. How about you just try and act normal for once? Just be, like, a normal coach."
When asked what a normal response would have been in his eyes, Nicol said:
"Like, when you start coming out with all these buzzwords and all this stuff... The reporters are sitting going, 'Oh, brilliant', so they can get after them again. Now it's the same question that we've just been talking about. Oh, all the smart comments, the fire's out, and the fire begins, putting it out, and the whole thing. Just be normal, and just try and deflect any attention away from yourself."
"I just don't understand how he has to keep coming up with stuff that reporters, they just feed off it. Just be a normal coach. Say something normal, 'We're gonna do our best, 100%, as we always do'. Don't give them anything. He just keeps throwing them lines, man," he added.
If Arsenal beat Sporting on Wednesday, they will face Atletico Madrid in the Champions League semi-finals.
What did Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta say ahead of Sporting clash?
Arsenal have lost three of their last four games across competitions. This has seen them lose the EFL Cup final and get eliminated from the FA Cup quarter-finals. Their lead atop the Premier League table has also reduced to six points over Manchester City, who have a game in hand.
Hence, ahead of the Sporting clash, Arteta was asked about his overriding feeling, and he answered (h/t Arsenal.com):
"Fire. I'm on fire. That's it, nothing else. I'm dreaming so much. I've done so much to be in this position because I know how this club was. I just see beauty, opportunity and I want to get it done for all these people that have been in this journey with us, and because they deserve it, because it's been unbelievable. That's what has driven me every single day - zero fear."
"Fear I had when: 'oh, if we don't get this done, this club, I don't know what is going to happen.’ That was fear. Now there's no fear. It's just purpose, fire, direction and conviction that we're going to do it," he added.
After Sporting, Arsenal will face Manchester City at the Etihad in the huge Premier League clash on Sunday, April 19. It could end up being a title decider, with the Cityzens needing a win.