Mikel Arteta Arsenal
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In recent discussions surrounding Premier League officiating, former referee Mark Clattenburg has voiced his concerns about the increasing use of tactics that block goalkeepers during matches. Clattenburg believes that the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) and the Premier League need to address this issue with greater severity to prevent attacking sides from gaining an unfair advantage.
Mark Clattenburg said: “It’s something the PGMOL and Premier League need to address, and any blocking on the goalkeeper must be punished by a free-kick. Yes, more fouls will be given at first, but when teams realise they will not be allowed to use this tactic, they will stop.”
Clattenburg’s recommendation is to increase the number of free kicks awarded for such infractions, which he believes will quickly discourage teams from employing these tactics. He argues that this approach will lead to a fairer playing field and reduce the likelihood of teams exploiting the rules to their advantage.
Adding to the conversation, former Manchester United and Everton defender John O’Kane provided his perspective on how teams can better handle these situations defensively.
John O’Kane said: “It ain’t rocket science. Coaches have to start leaving two or three players on the halfway line.”
O’Kane suggests that teams need to be more strategic in their defensive setups, particularly when dealing with set-piece situations. By leaving players on the halfway line, teams can potentially counteract the blocking tactics and maintain a balanced defensive posture.
Meanwhile, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has been reflecting on his team’s recent performances, particularly after a home loss to Manchester United. Despite having scored 26 goals via set-pieces this season, Arteta took responsibility for the defeat and emphasized the importance of learning from such experiences.
Mikel Arteta said: “I take full responsibility [today], they have to take full responsibility for what they’ve done for seven months, in the manner that they behaved, how much they want it. And now, in the process of winning, you have to lose or draw. It’s how you react to that. Now we have another opportunity, the best place to talk is on the pitch, in three days’ time, when we play in the Champions League again. And the better the energy is around everybody – around the staff, myself, the players, and especially our supporters, much better. And much better we’ll play freely, we’ll flow, and we’ll continue to win a lot of matches, I’m sure.”
Arteta’s comments highlight the need for resilience and positivity as his team prepares for their upcoming Champions League fixture. He remains optimistic about the team’s potential to perform well and continue their successful run this season.
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