Arsenal Squad Rage as Mikel Arteta Accused of Favouritism

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 19: Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal looks on as he walks to the dressing rooms at half time during the Premier League match between Everton and Arsenal at Goodison Park on December 19, 2020 in Liverpool, England. A limited number of fans (2000) are welcomed back to stadiums to watch elite football across England. This was following easing of restrictions on spectators in tiers one and two areas only. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 19: Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal looks on as he walks to the dressing rooms at half time during the Premier League match between Everton and Arsenal at Goodison Park on December 19, 2020 in Liverpool, England. A limited number of fans (2000) are welcomed back to stadiums to watch elite football across England. This was following easing of restrictions on spectators in tiers one and two areas only. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

An argument broke out at Arsenal during a recent team meeting.

It’s no secret that a substantial squad overhaul is needed, and inevitable, at Arsenal, with the early workings of upheaval taken place with the loan departure of Sead Kolasinac to Schalke 04.

Plenty more movement is urgently required going out as well as coming in, not merely for the sake of quality but also with an eye on re-imagining the culture. There is no hiding from the unmistakable presences of certain individuals who no longer have the club’s best interests at heart.

Strong accusations, but not unfounded ones.

The latest update on apparent squad turmoil comes courtesy of the Mirror, who claim that Mikel Arteta was challenged by an ‘unnamed’ player over accusations that he treats certain players differently to others. The incident occurred during a team meeting in front of the entire squad.

https://twitter.com/PainInThArsenal/status/1344738574391005186

It’s pure speculation on who spoke out against the boss, but it’s evidently someone who themselves isn’t playing regularly.

There are undoubted bad eggs in the squad, the like of whom will be shifted in due course. It may even be that the player in question has already been moved on, since there is no specified date.

In terms of details the source material is very light, with the vague information managing to cover all the bases in, it would seem, a sensationalist manner.

Whether believable or not, this is something Arteta has been guilty of, at least in the eyes of the supporters, this season. A running joke suggesting that Willian is blackmailing the manager in order to get minutes does the rounds every week.

Falling on the sword of his senior players has been the most telling criticism of Arteta’s reign so far. An insistence to field those who continue to disappoint in favour of injecting youth into the side was the justifiably rather large stick with which to beat the Spaniard with.

Two wins from two before the New Year lifted the mood considerably, not least given the starring roles played by the young players, coinciding with the absence of other senior members.

Should Arteta revert to old habits with his team selections, not least now that Willian and David Luiz have returned from illness, then the claims made of player unrest make resurface. However, these ‘leaks’ must be taken with a fistful of salt.