“They should be ashamed of themselves because this is never how big clubs win games. Arteta’s tactics is illegal”- Wolves manager Gary O’Neil slams unlawful Mikel Arteta’s tactics in defeat as he feels Arsenal doesn’t deserve to WIN

“They should be ashamed of themselves because this is never how big clubs win games. Arteta’s tactics is illegal”- Wolves manager Gary O’Neil slams unlawful Mikel Arteta’s tactics in defeat as he feels Arsenal doesn’t deserve to WIN

Gary O’Neil has expressed reservations regarding Arsenal’s deliberate time-wasting tactics in the latter stages of their 2-1 triumph against Wolves at the Emirates Stadium. Despite momentarily securing a four-point lead at the summit, Arsenal faced an anxious finale as Cunha’s late goal injected hope for Wolves.

The Gunners showcased an explosive start reminiscent of their performance against Lens earlier in the week, securing a 2-0 lead within the opening 15 minutes through goals from Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard. However, a defensive lapse from Oleksandr Zinchenko allowed Wolves’ Brazilian forward to narrow the deficit in the 84th minute.

Despite the officials stipulating a minimum of six additional minutes, Arsenal successfully navigated the closing moments, leaving Gary O’Neil perturbed by what he perceived as intentional time-wasting tactics. Venting his frustration on beIN Sport, O’Neil highlighted Arsenal’s deliberate delays during restarts and suggested that the added time could have been further extended to address the concerns of time-wasting.

Odegaard, who showcased his goal-scoring prowess in successive matches after recovering from injury, expressed disappointment with Arsenal’s second-half performance. Reflecting on the match, he emphasized the significance of learning from such situations in the Premier League, where a momentary lapse can invite opponents back into the game.

“We started so strong again,” Odegaard remarked. “The first half was brilliant. We scored two good goals and dominated everything. We let them in a little bit with the goal, but that’s football. I guess we have to learn from that.”

Despite the victory, Odegaard acknowledged the need for continuous improvement, particularly when holding a 2-0 lead. Commenting on the demanding schedule, he underscored the constant challenges in the Premier League, emphasizing the importance of intelligent recovery and rest ahead of their upcoming clash against Luton.

In conclusion, Arsenal’s victory over Wolves, coupled with accusations of time-wasting, serves as a valuable learning experience for the team. Odegaard’s emphasis on sustained improvement and resilience underscores the challenges inherent in the competitive Premier League landscape.