{"id":2738,"date":"2026-04-06T04:50:13","date_gmt":"2026-04-06T04:50:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/?p=2738"},"modified":"2026-04-06T04:50:13","modified_gmt":"2026-04-06T04:50:13","slug":"arsenal-latest-mikel-arteta-actions-slammed-as-club-chief-fumes-over-julian-alvarez-claims","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/?p=2738","title":{"rendered":"Arsenal latest: Mikel Arteta actions slammed as club chief fumes over Julian Alvarez claims"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"article-body\">\n<h2 class=\"LeadText_lead-text__wd_PA __className_e792fe\" data-testid=\"leadtext\">Mikel Arteta suffered a disappointing FA Cup quarter-final defeat to Southampton at the weekend and the Arsenal boss has now been criticised<\/h2>\n<p><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX ImageEmbed_image-lead__Ti3qQ\" data-testid=\"leadimage\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"32928781\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Mikel Arteta grimaces\" loading=\"eager\" sizes=\"(max-width: 508px) 508px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article32928781.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200f\/1_Arsenal-v-Crystal-Palace-Premier-League.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article32928781.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s508\/1_Arsenal-v-Crystal-Palace-Premier-League.jpg 508w, https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article32928781.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615\/1_Arsenal-v-Crystal-Palace-Premier-League.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article32928781.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200f\/1_Arsenal-v-Crystal-Palace-Premier-League.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Mikel Arteta has been called out for his touchline theatrics\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Mikel Arteta has been called out for his touchline theatrics<cite aria-label=\"Image: Alex Pantling, Getty Images\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: Alex Pantling, Getty Images)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">As Arsenal reflect on another disappointing result, Mikel Arteta has <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/sport\/football\/news\/arsenal-mikel-arteta-alvarez-transfer-36971518\" rel=\"follow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">come under scrutiny<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The Gunners&#8217; shock 2-1 loss to Southampton in the FA Cup quarter-finals marked their second cup elimination in as many games. There were worrying signs for the Gunners as unusually weak defending enabled the Saints to clinch a dramatic late victory at St Mary&#8217;s.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Any expectations that Arteta&#8217;s side would recover following their Carabao Cup final loss to Manchester City prior to the international break appear to have been misplaced. The north London side cannot afford to linger on their latest setbacks, however, as they gear up for a crucial Champions League quarter-final clash against Sporting CP on Tuesday.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Perhaps even more critical is Saturday&#8217;s home fixture against Bournemouth, as Arsenal look to navigate this difficult period and maintain their nine-point advantage at the top of the Premier League table. Now, <strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">football.london <\/strong>examines two of the latest developments concerning the Gunners.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">FOLLOW OUR ARSENAL FB PAGE!<\/strong><a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/AFCFootball.London#\" rel=\"nofollow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\"> <\/strong><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\"><u>Latest Gunners news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page<\/u><\/strong><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"HeadingThree_heading-three__PBHLs  __className_18bd99\">Arteta blamed for &#8216;nervous energy&#8217;<\/h3>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Theo Walcott directed criticism towards Arteta after Saturday night&#8217;s defeat by highlighting the manager&#8217;s &#8220;nervous energy.&#8221; Both the Gunners boss and his squad in recent seasons have faced accusations of failing to deliver when the season reaches its decisive stages.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The loss to Southampton heightened those concerns, with some suggesting their lacklustre performance could spill over and derail their Premier League title challenge. Arteta&#8217;s former Arsenal team-mate Walcott, who also previously played for Southampton, believes the Spaniard&#8217;s behaviour on the touchline is doing little to settle his squad.<\/p>\n<div data-testid=\"image-group\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX false\" data-testid=\"imageembed-33719420\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"33719420\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"image\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.43\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Theo Walcott speaking in 2025\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"(max-width: 458px) 458px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33719420.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_GettyImages-2212714326.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33719420.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s458b\/0_GettyImages-2212714326.jpg 458w, https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33719420.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615b\/0_GettyImages-2212714326.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33719420.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_GettyImages-2212714326.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Theo Walcott accused Arteta of showing &quot;nervous energy&quot;\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Theo Walcott accused Arteta of showing &#8220;nervous energy&#8221;<cite aria-label=\"Image: Jean Catuffe\/Getty Images\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: Jean Catuffe\/Getty Images)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/div>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">He told the BBC: &#8220;They have to not let the season run away from them. Everything they have built this season, don&#8217;t let it affect them. They have been in this situation before and they don&#8217;t want to relive that.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;Visually watching Mikel on the sidelines, it was elements of previous years where that energy reflected into the team. It was a nervous energy, it was very tense.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;Not just Mikel but a lot of the staff were out there at times. It was like too many cooks in the kitchen, too many messages. Play your best team was the right thing to do tonight. It&#8217;s easy if I say that now, but you want a reaction off the cup final and it wasn&#8217;t that tonight, it was worse.&#8221;<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"HeadingThree_heading-three__PBHLs  __className_18bd99\">Alvarez transfer talk &#8216;crossing the line&#8217;<\/h3>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo hit out at the Spanish press on the weekend their constant speculation about Julian Alvarez\u2019s summer transfer. Alvarez is reportedly being eyed as a key target by the likes of Arsenal,<a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/chelsea-fc\" rel=\"follow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\"> <\/a>Chelsea and<a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/fc-barcelona\" rel=\"follow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\"> <\/a>Barcelona.<\/p>\n<div data-testid=\"image-group\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX false\" data-testid=\"imageembed-33719421\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"33719421\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"image\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Julian Alvarez centre-forward of Atletico de Madrid and Argentina during the UEFA Champions League 2025\/26 League Knockout Play-off Second Leg match between Atletico de Madrid and Club Brugge KV at Estadio Riyadh Air Metropolitano on February 24, 2026 in Madrid, Spain. \" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"(max-width: 458px) 458px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33719421.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_GettyImages-2262878538.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33719421.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s458b\/0_GettyImages-2262878538.jpg 458w, https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33719421.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615b\/0_GettyImages-2262878538.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33719421.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_GettyImages-2262878538.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Atletico Madrid's president shut down talk of Julian Alvarez's exit\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Atletico Madrid&#8217;s president shut down talk of Julian Alvarez&#8217;s exit<cite aria-label=\"Image: Getty Images\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: Getty Images)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/div>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">However, speaking ahead of Atletico&#8217;s La Liga defeat to Barcelona, Cerezo suggested that Alvarez could stay at the club beyond this season, while taking aim at the assembled media. He said: &#8220;You are crossing the line a little with (questions and reports about) Alvarez. He&#8217;s an Atletico Madrid player and has a long contract with the club.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Barcelona went on to claim a victory, with Robert Lewandowski &#8211; the same player Alvarez would likely succeed should a transfer to Catalonia materialise &#8211; netting a late winner after coming off the bench.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Argentina international Alvarez has recorded 17 goals and nine assists across all competitions this season, catching the eye of several elite European clubs along the way. Atletico are believed to have placed a \u00a3129million valuation on the 26-year-old.<\/p>\n<div class=\"AffiliateContentsEmbed_affiliate-contents-container__oTiet\" data-testid=\"affiliate-contents-embed\">\n<div data-testid=\"affiliate-content\" class=\"AffiliateContent_affiliate-content-container__10EX_ affiliate-content\">\n<p>Up to 70% off Arsenal kits and merch<\/p>\n<div class=\"AffiliateDisclaimer_affiliate-disclaimer__dG5ST\">\n<div class=\"AffiliateDisclaimer_affiliate-text__8nmDa\">This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. 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The Gunners&#8217; shock 2-1 loss to [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2739,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"pagelayer_contact_templates":[],"_pagelayer_content":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2738","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-arsenal"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2738","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2738"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2738\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/2739"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2738"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2738"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2738"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}