Arsenal
Aston Villa
Chelsea
Crystal Palace
Everton
Fulham
Leeds United
Liverpool
Manchester City
Manchester United
Newcastle United
Nottingham Forest
Southampton
Tottenham Hotspur
West Ham United
Wolverhampton Wanderers
News
Chris Sutton shares what he’s heard about Arsenal that’s ‘absolute nonsense’
Arsenal appear to have rattled Premier League title rivals Manchester City following their fiery 2-2 draw last weekend.
The English top flight finally has a worthy title rivalry once again, one in which there seems to be genuine animosity between the two sides.
For instance, John Stones commented on how Arsenal managed the game at the Etihad Stadium, saying he has seen very few teams slow proceedings down in such a manner.
There have also been reports saying Gunners players have been texting each other saying how much they annoyed the Citizens camp.
Arsenal’s performance and game management on Sunday led to accusations suggesting the Gunners are dark arts merchants.
However, Chris Sutton isn’t having any of it. He has defended Arsenal for how they went about their game against the reigning champions.
Sutton, speaking on the podcast, said what he’s been hearing about the Gunners and the “dark arts” is “absolute nonsense”.
The pundit deemed Arsenal a “well-drilled and organised side” with a game plan that was executed well.
Sutton said: “The dark arts thing does annoy me a little bit because every club uses dark arts, don’t they?
“Any team in the position Arsenal were in wouldn’t be in a rush to take a free kick, a goal kick or a throw in. Why would you in that situation?
“We all have done it as players. Even maybe at your level. And then there’s all these things thrown at Arsenal. The set plays.
“It’s absolute nonsense. Arsenal are a well drilled and organised side.
“I think the way they set up with 11 men against City was defensive, but they had a game plan, they got away with it last season and got a point at the Etihad.
“And doing it again and playing a half with 10 men as they did do, that’s some result for Arsenal.”
READ MORE: David Seaman shares Jack Porter verdict after Arsenal youngster starts v Bolton
Better to be hated than pitied
For far too many seasons, it got to a point where Arsenal weren’t disliked, or even laughed at – they were pitied by some rival fans, because they were so far off the pace.
Even when Mikel Arteta took the reins and embarked on his rebuilding job, it’s not as though the Gunners were immediately strong again – there were several seasons of transition where they struggled.
Over the past two seasons, things have clicked, and Arsenal are no longer a pitiable, meek outfit – they’re now expected to beat most teams and have the nation’s biggest club well and truly rattled.
Arsenal fans will no doubt be enjoying the current state of affairs. Once upon a time, their team was hated, back when Arsene Wenger’s charges were winning titles.
Then they were laughed at, then they were pitied, and now they’re hated once again – because they’re doing well.