Rio Ferdinand has launched a scathing critique of Mikel Arteta's tactical approach following Arsenal's dramatic 3-2 home defeat to Manchester United, accusing the Gunners' manager of playing with the 'handbrake' on throughout much of the current Premier League campaign.
Ferdinand's Boxing Analogy for Arsenal's Approach
The former Manchester United and England defender used a vivid boxing analogy to describe his concerns about Arteta's philosophy during an appearance on his Rio Ferdinand Presents YouTube channel. 'Arteta is cautious, he's naturally cautious. His first instinct is to go, "Oh, let's just throw a few jabs", everything's a jab,' Ferdinand stated.
He elaborated further with his pugilistic comparison: 'I haven't seen the right-hand haymaker come over the top, I haven't seen him get close on the inside with an uppercut. Everything is at a distance, just poking it out, little touches here and there, not even a stiff Lennox Lewis jab! It's got to be more than that.'
Match Analysis: How United Overcame Arsenal
The Premier League leaders saw their advantage at the summit cut to just four points after Matheus Cunha's spectacular late winner silenced the Emirates Stadium crowd. Michael Carrick's United side were forced to come from behind after Lisandro Martinez's unfortunate own goal on the half-hour mark gave Arsenal the lead.
A rare misplaced pass from Arsenal's usually reliable midfielder Martin Zubimendi gifted United their equaliser through Bryan Mbeumo, before Patrick Dorgu's thunderous 50th-minute effort sent the travelling supporters into raptures. Although Mikel Merino scrambled home to seemingly salvage a point for the hosts, substitute Cunha had other ideas with his stunning late intervention.
Individual Performances Under Scrutiny
Ferdinand expressed particular concern about the form of Arsenal's attacking players, suggesting Bukayo Saka has been 'a shadow of his former self' recently. 'He's the one they always go to but I don't see him running onto anything,' the pundit observed. 'Maybe it's just the way Arsenal play or maybe it was that Manchester United got into a shape so quickly and didn't allow there to be space in behind to run. But I never see him running onto things. I want to see him doing that.'
The former defender also noted a deterioration in the once-prolific partnership between Saka and Martin Ødegaard: 'The link-up with Ødegaard isn't what it was a year or 18 months ago.'
Gabriel Jesus's Missed Opportunity
Given the starting centre-forward role ahead of Viktor Gyokeres following his impressive midweek brace against Inter Milan, Gabriel Jesus failed to seize his opportunity to cement his place in Arteta's first-choice lineup. The Brazilian cut a peripheral figure throughout, particularly when contrasted with the influential performance of United's Bryan Mbeumo at the opposite end of the pitch.
Arteta had seen enough by the 58th minute, withdrawing Jesus as his side struggled to find an equaliser against United's spirited resistance. This represented a significant missed opportunity for the former Manchester City attacker as United threw the title race wide open with their dramatic victory.
United's Standout Performers
Bryan Mbeumo further enhanced his reputation as one of United's shrewdest summer acquisitions with another eye-catching display. His relentless pressing forced Zubimendi's costly error, while his composed finish demonstrated the confidence of a player operating at the peak of his powers.
Patrick Dorgu also enjoyed a coming-of-age performance, following up his 'immense' derby display against Manchester City with a spectacular 50th-minute strike that Gary Neville described as 'the goal of a lifetime'. The Dane's showing was unfortunately cut short by a suspected hamstring injury with ten minutes remaining.
Ferdinand's Verdict on Arsenal's Title Credentials
According to Ferdinand, Arsenal's greatest obstacle to securing the Premier League title might be their own psychological approach. 'The biggest hindrance or obstacle maybe to Arsenal winning the league is Arsenal,' he asserted. 'You guys have got to build a character and a confidence and a mentality that says, "We're gonna go on and win it and we're going to take the handbrake off and the shackles off and get over that line", but they're so uptight.'
He concluded with a pointed observation about the team's style: 'They're isn't the freedom and they're too robotic... that's what I thought Eberechi Eze has been bought for maybe but they're not using it.'
The result sees Manchester United leapfrog Chelsea into fourth position in the Premier League table, with manager Michael Carrick securing two victories from two matches following last weekend's shock derby triumph over Manchester City. Arsenal now face a crucial test of character as they prepare for their return to Premier League action at Leeds United next weekend, with Arteta facing difficult selection decisions following this significant setback.
