After Arsenal’s disappointing 2-1 defeat to Newcastle, tensions spilled over as William Saliba openly criticized manager Mikel Arteta and a teammate, whom he believes played a key role in the loss. Speaking candidly during a press conference, the usually composed French defender expressed his frustration with Arteta’s decision to start the player in question, stating it was a significant factor in the team’s failure to secure the crucial three points.
“They say we’re already out of the title race, and honestly, I don’t blame them. I blame Arteta for starting him again,” Saliba said, visibly upset. While he refrained from naming the teammate directly, it is widely believed he was referring to a player earning £90,000 per week whose performance has been under scrutiny. Saliba’s pointed remarks highlighted his dissatisfaction not only with individual performances but also with the broader tactical decisions made by Arteta.
Saliba continued his critique, emphasizing the recurring nature of such mistakes. “It’s the same story over and over again. We give everything for the team, we dominate games, but then we lose because of individual errors. When it keeps happening, it’s hard to stay quiet,” he remarked. The defender’s words underline the frustration building within the Arsenal camp as their title aspirations continue to falter.
The defeat to Newcastle is seen as a turning point in Arsenal’s season, with the Gunners slipping further behind in the Premier League title race. After coming so close to clinching the title last season, expectations were high this year. However, a string of inconsistent performances, particularly involving key defensive errors, has derailed their campaign. Saliba’s comments shed light on the internal dissatisfaction with both Arteta’s leadership and the contributions of certain players, signaling deeper issues within the squad.
In response to Saliba’s remarks, Arteta chose not to directly address the criticism, instead urging the team to look ahead and prepare for upcoming challenges. Despite this diplomatic approach, it is evident that tensions within the club are mounting. Saliba’s unfiltered criticism reflects a growing divide within the locker room and raises questions about whether the manager’s decisions are fully supported by the squad.
As Arsenal prepare for their next fixture, the impact of Saliba’s comments will undoubtedly be felt. Whether this public airing of frustrations will galvanize the team or deepen existing rifts remains to be seen. What is clear, however, is that if Arsenal hope to turn their season around, they will need to overcome both their on-pitch struggles and the off-pitch discord that threatens to undermine their ambitions.
