🚨 BREAKING NEWS🚨 “I don’t understand why Arteta keeps benching such an outstanding player. If he continues to do so, the team won’t progress… Sometimes, I question whether he truly learned anything from me,” Pep Guardiola criticized Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta for sidelining a player who is among the Premier League’s best. I WAS SHOCKED 😯

Arsenal’s Leandro Trossard missed a crucial chance in the dying minutes to seal a victory, failing to connect with William Saliba’s cross. Consequently, the visiting side had to settle for a draw.

Arteta’s frustration was evident after the match as he criticized his team for not holding onto their lead, a recurring issue they had previously faced against Liverpool.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Arteta remarked: “We were the better team overall, controlling various aspects of the game. After going ahead, I’m really disappointed with the way we conceded. It was a substandard goal by our measures, and that’s simply unacceptable.”

“I’m proud of the team’s fighting spirit, but at the end of the day, we are here to win, and we didn’t. The goal came from a set piece in the second phase, and we were caught out of position. Our reaction was slow, and we can’t afford to let a pass like that happen.”

He acknowledged Neto’s quality in scoring but emphasized that their defensive standards were lacking. While the players were disappointed, he commended their resilience but stressed that the team was aiming for victory, which they couldn’t achieve.

Arteta highlighted that the team’s gameplay was promising but stressed the importance of securing results. He mentioned having a clear vision for the team’s progress and admitted that they needed to address ongoing issues as they kept reappearing.

His primary concern, he said, was ensuring players were at peak physical fitness for the entirety of matches. Arteta expressed confidence that if this could be managed, the team would have a successful season.

The draw left neither team satisfied, both trailing nine points behind Liverpool after only 11 games played. Asked about this gap, Arteta said: “We can’t change that now. I hope after the international break, we come back with a fully fit team.”

He added that the past eight weeks had been difficult, marked by recurring uncertainties not just with unavailable players but also with those limited to partial appearances. Arteta hoped for a squad in optimal shape moving forward.

Despite the setbacks, he said there was no questioning the team’s commitment and desire for success, noting that consistency was key. He explained that true character is revealed when challenges arise, not when things are going smoothly.

Arteta’s concerns were compounded when Declan Rice limped off in the 71st minute, followed by Bukayo Saka, who had to be substituted after a strong tackle from Marc Cucurella, the match’s standout player.

“They don’t look good, honestly,” Arteta admitted. “I’m not sure about the long-term situation, but neither could finish the match, so it’s not promising.”