JUST IN 🚨:“I don’t know if it is [being] a bad guy, but you have to be tricky, you have to be smart, you have to be street wise and you have to try to take advantages in every situation,”-Mikel Arteta admits Arsenal must be ‘ smart’ and ‘tricky’ after porto learning curve.

Arsenal encountered a stark lesson in tactical cunning during their recent Champions League match against Porto, succumbing to a 1-0 defeat in the initial leg of the last-16 encounter. This setback echoes a prior experience when Newcastle, in a match last year, frustrated Arteta’s squad with a defensive strategy, resulting in a scoreless draw. Anticipating a similar challenge from upcoming opponents, Arteta underscores the necessity for his team to cultivate their own shrewdness and resilience to remain competitive in the title race.

Arteta articulates the essence of astuteness in football, emphasizing the need for players to exhibit cleverness, intelligence, and street-smarts to capitalize on every opportunity. He acknowledges the development required in this regard, affirming that such qualities are not innate but can be honed over time. Drawing parallels from the Porto encounter, Arteta highlights the significance of such experiences in assessing the team’s progress.

While acknowledging areas of improvement, particularly in game management and tactical execution, Arteta remains optimistic about the team’s growth trajectory. He emphasizes the ongoing evolution of their playing style, identifying opportunities to enhance their build-up phase, restarts, and various other aspects of their game. Looking ahead, Arteta envisions significant strides in the team’s development, demonstrating a commitment to continuous improvement and refinement in pursuit of success on the pitch.