Michael Owen Fires Back at Brighton Manager Over Arsenal Critique
Former England striker Michael Owen has launched a pointed rebuttal against Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler, who recently slammed Arsenal's playing style following a narrow 1-0 victory for the Gunners on the south coast. Owen suggested that Hurzeler might reconsider his harsh words if he ever finds himself in a title-chasing position, defending Mikel Arteta's pragmatic tactics as essential in a heated Premier League race.
Arsenal Grind Out Vital Victory Amidst Criticism
In a match where Arsenal were far from their fluid best, Bukayo Saka's early goal proved decisive, securing three crucial points that extended their lead at the top of the table. The win was made even sweeter by Manchester City's 2-2 draw with Nottingham Forest, putting Arteta's side seven points clear, albeit with an extra game played. Despite the result, Hurzeler did not hold back in his post-match assessment, criticizing Arsenal's perceived negative approach.
Arteta responded with sarcasm, saying, 'What a surprise,' when asked about the Brighton manager's comments. Owen, however, offered a more measured perspective, acknowledging that while this Arsenal team might not always be aesthetically pleasing, effectiveness trumps beauty in a title run-in.
Owen Defends Arteta's Pragmatic Philosophy
Michael Owen emphasized that winning ugly is sometimes necessary, stating, 'He might change his mind if he's going for a title. Then any old win will do.' He praised Arsenal's resilience, noting their strong defense, organized midfield, and ability to shut out games after scoring. 'Arsenal have played well for the vast majority of the season,' Owen said. 'Sometimes you've got to win playing ugly, and they've done that this season. They find a way of winning.'
He contrasted Arsenal's style with the high-scoring, free-flowing football of Liverpool and Manchester City in recent years, highlighting the Gunners' disciplined and well-drilled approach. 'They are not that style of play,' Owen explained. 'They are well drilled, and as soon as they score one, you rarely see them not picking up the points.' Despite a recent blip in a loss to Wolves, Owen pointed out that Arsenal have consistently shown the ability to defend leads effectively.
Arteta Praises Team Spirit and Determination
Rather than engaging further with critics, Mikel Arteta chose to focus on the collective effort of his squad, which bounced back emphatically from their defeat at Molineux. 'It's a huge win,' Arteta said. 'We knew how tough it was going to be. We're coming back from a very difficult game with a lot of intensity, with players really going through the line in every game.'
He highlighted the challenges of a packed schedule, noting that players have already logged more minutes than last season. 'That's the schedule, the normality that we have now in the competition that we are in,' Arteta added. 'We have to accept it, but the level of energy and desire that they put in, it's phenomenal.' This resilience has been key to Arsenal's title charge, underscoring the importance of grit over glamour in the Premier League's final stretch.
