Liverpool boss Arne Slot has come to the defence of Mikel Arteta ahead of their high-stakes Premier League showdown at Anfield on Sunday, insisting the Arsenal manager deserves more credit despite a disappointing week for the Gunners.
Slot Hits Back at Arteta Critics: “Arsenal Can Play Every Style”
Arsenal crashed out of the Champions League on Wednesday night after a semi-final defeat to Paris Saint-Germain, ending their hopes of winning silverware this season.
That result, coupled with a 15-point gap to league champions Liverpool, has intensified criticism of Arteta’s management.
However, Slot, who replaced Jurgen Klopp this season, believes the backlash is unfair. The Dutchman praised Arteta’s tactical versatility and long-term vision, calling Arsenal a “special” team under his leadership.
“Mikel should get, in my opinion, a lot of credit for the way his team plays,” Slot said.
“They can play almost every style – whether it’s high pressing, building from the back, defending deep, or creating chances from set-pieces.
That kind of flexibility is rare and shows the work of a top manager.”
Slot added that Arsenal’s unpredictability makes them one of the most difficult teams to prepare for.
“The only way you can do that is if you work at a club for years. But even then, not all managers are capable of building a team that can play in so many ways. That’s special.”
The two sides meet on Sunday at Anfield, where Arsenal will perform a guard of honour for newly crowned champions Liverpool – a moment that could sting for Arteta’s men after another trophyless campaign.
Arteta, meanwhile, pointed to Liverpool’s consistency and squad health as key to their Premier League triumph.
“That’s a big thing to win trophies, you know, and they did that extremely well,” he said.
“They maintained consistency in performance and availability, and that played a massive role.”
While the Spaniard accepted his side’s shortcomings, he was quick to remind critics of their Champions League run.
“We were the only Premier League team in the semi-finals. That’s the level we’re operating at. It’s not easy, but we’re still progressing.”
Sunday’s clash promises to be emotionally charged, with both managers respecting each other’s work – but aiming to finish the season on a high.
