Mourinho Accuses Arteta of ‘Parking a Double Bus’ Against Man City

Mourinho Accuses Arteta of ‘Parking a Double Bus’ Against Man City

Jose Mourinho has taken aim at Mikel Arteta for Arsenal’s defensive approach in their recent match against Manchester City, labeling it as “parking a DOUBLE bus.”

The encounter, which took place on March 31, was anticipated to be a significant fixture in the title race. However, it ended in a lackluster 0-0 draw with minimal shots on target.

Arteta’s Arsenal opted for a defensive strategy, maintaining just 27% possession against their title-contending opponents.

Mourinho expressed surprise at the positive reception to Arsenal’s performance, contrasting it with his own experiences of similar tactics.

Mourinho, known for his pragmatic style of play and coining the term “park the bus,” questioned the characterization of Arsenal’s approach as a “magic strategy.” He emphasized that defensive tactics, such as what Arsenal employed, were not considered extraordinary in his coaching tenure.

While Mourinho has a track record of success against Manchester City, Arteta’s history against them has been less favorable, with only three wins from ten encounters before this season.

However, Arteta’s defensive approach paid off earlier in the season when Arsenal secured a 1-0 victory over City at the Emirates.

Despite Mourinho’s criticism, Arteta has overseen significant improvements at Arsenal since taking charge in 2019, winning 132 out of 227 matches. The Gunners currently lead the Premier League table.

Arsenal’s next challenge is against Chelsea, where they aim to extend their lead at the top before Manchester City’s clash with Brighton on Thursday.

Mourinho Accuses Arteta of ‘Parking a Double Bus’ Against Man City