Roy Keane, on The Overlap, compared Mikel Arteta’s tactics to those of Sam Allardyce, Tony Pulis, Steve Bruce, and Neil Warnock. He sparked debate about double standards in how tactics are judged based on the manager.

Keane noted that Arsenal, after going down to 10 men against Manchester City, adopted a deep defensive shape. This tactic nearly worked until John Stones scored in the 98th minute. Keane acknowledged the effectiveness of defending deep with 10 men, especially against City. However, he questioned why Arteta’s approach was called “brilliant,” while managers like Allardyce or Pulis would face criticism for similar tactics.

The “Dinosaur” Comparison by Roy Keane

Keane highlighted that managers like Allardyce, Pulis, Bruce, and Warnock are known for defensive, pragmatic football. Pulis, during his time at Stoke City, often faced criticism for using a direct, physical style. Allardyce, who has managed teams like Bolton and Crystal Palace, is also labeled as defensive, relying on functional football to grind out results.

Keane argued that these managers, often called “dinosaurs,” wouldn’t receive the same praise as Arteta for employing similar strategies. This raises the question of whether a manager’s reputation affects how their tactics are perceived.

Arsenal’s Struggles with Possession

Keane also criticized Arsenal for wasting possession. He pointed out that players like Ben White and Declan Rice simply kicked the ball away instead of pushing forward. Keane stressed that while defending is crucial, failing to keep possession weakens a team’s chances. He added that Arsenal missed Martin Ødegaard, their main creative force, which hurt their ability to link defense with attack.

Tactical Double Standards

Keane’s remarks reignited the debate about how tactics are viewed based on the manager. Managers like Pulis, Allardyce, and Bruce often face criticism for defensive play, seen as lacking ambition. In contrast, Arteta received praise for managing Arsenal’s defense under pressure, despite using similar tactics.

This suggests that some managers are judged based on their past styles or teams, while others benefit from their modern reputation. It also shows that even old tactics like defending deep can still be effective, despite the modern emphasis on attacking football.

Conclusion

Keane’s critique raises questions about how football managers and their tactics are judged. Comparing Arteta to so-called “dinosaur” managers challenges the idea that pragmatic football is outdated. The debate over tactical flexibility and how managers are perceived will likely continue.