Mikel Arteta has been called out on social media after his bold claims about his Arsenal team achieving something that no other Premier League side could have done.
Last weekend, Arsenal’s hopes of pushing Liverpool for the Premier League title took a massive blow after they lost 1-0 at home to London rivals West Ham United while Arne Slot’s side brushed Manchester City aside at the Etihad Stadium.
The Gunners face another tough test on Wednesday night as they travel to the City Ground to face a high-flying Nottingham Forest side.
But ahead of the game, Arteta has caused massive controversy after making a bold claim that his team have done something this season that no team in the history of the Premier League could have achieved.
Throughout the season, Arsenal have been forced to deal with long-term injuries to several starts such as Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli, leaving them short-staffed up front.
And it is exactly this, that Arteta said has held Arsenal back this season as he made that bold claim that no other Premier League side in history would have performed as well as his team with the amount of injuries and suspensions they have dealt with.
“I think we have made big strides this season,” he said ahead of Wednesday’s clash with Forest.
“Big time. Because we should be in a very different position with everything that has happened.
“There is not a team in Premier League history with five red cards and the amount of injuries that we have that are in the position that we are today. It’s one of my proudest moments but this group could have gone (signals downhill).
“That (the title) will be decided at the end of the season. We have to understand the circumstances that we had as well and we are still where we are. We are not here to justify anything, we are here to win.”
But fans were not happy with Arteta’s claims, and they were quick to lash out at the Arsenal boss on social media.
Reacting to the clip on X, an Arsenal fan wrote: “Arsenal 2001/2002, 6 red cards, 3 gks throughout the season (min 10 matches each), all our players missed a min of 5 matches (except Vieira). Went to Old Trafford without Thierry and won the league.”
A Liverpool fan pointed out: “Liverpool at this stage last season just won the Carabao cup with almost the full first 11 out. We’re still in the league race, still in Europe with at least a trophy to show. So what hasn’t been done before.”
While a rival fan joked: “Arteta lifting the ‘We should be mid table with everything that has happened’ trophy.”