Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has voiced his frustration over allegations of his team using ‘dark arts’ to win matches this season.
The Gunners chief dismissed suggestions of his stars a playing on the edge and committing minor rule breaks to gain an advantage.
The claims come on the back of Arsenal 2-2 Premier League draw with Manchester City last month, which was littered with time wasting, as Arteta’s defensive masterplan was undone in the dying seconds.
Arteta’s pragmatic approach has remained under the microscope as his team battled back to secure a 3-1 weekend win over struggling Southampton.
Eagle-eyed home fans at the Emirates Stadium will have spotted Arteta frantically scribbling in his notepad on the sideline with his secret plan now revealed.
What was Arteta writing in his notepad vs. Southampton?
Reports from the Daily Mail have cracked the Arteta code with former Gunners star Aaron Ramsdale highlighted as a weak point in the Saints line up.
Ramsdale opted to join Southampton in August, after losing his No.1 spot to David Raya, and the England international conceded three goals on his return to North London.
One side of Arteta’s notepad featured a scribbled outline of his team system with the other side containing a jotted point of ‘Force AR 6 yard’ as a reference to his former keeper.
The note likely translates to forcing Ramsdale to play out from his six-yard box, which he did, to mixed effect against his old team.
The other notes of ‘Force our…’ and ‘Avoid switch’ are less clear although the latter indicates he was concerned by long passes from his full backs to the opposite side of the pitch.
Another win means Arsenal head into the October unbeaten in the EPL this season, and Gunners fans will be unconcerned by the focus on Arteta’s perceived negative tactics, ahead of a return to action against Bournemouth on October 19.
