Former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has pointed out the hypocrisy behind how his tactics were criticised compared to Mikel Arteta's defensive approach.
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Mourinho talks about Arteta defensive tacticsDisappointed with hypocrisy by fans and punditsBelieves he was mistreated for the same tacticsGetty ImagesWHAT HAPPENED?
Last month, Arteta's Arsenal side held Pep Guardiola's Manchester City to a goalless draw at the Etihad Stadium. After the match, Arteta was given plaudits for his set-up of the Gunners against the free-flowing and attack-dominant side of Guardiola. However, there was also some criticism that Arteta played the match not to win but to avoid a loss.
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Speaking in an exclusive interview with The Telegraph: "I am happy because I like the kid [Arteta]. And I am happy everything goes for him. But the way they [Arsenal] played to get that point – and the way the media spoke about a magic strategy.
"In my time, it was not a magic strategy, and I won at Manchester City a few times. But it was not an amazing strategy. It was a defensive game. Park the bus. Park the double bus. It was a different perspective."
GettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Throughout his career, Mourinho often received backhanded compliments for how he sets up his sides defensively. He led sides like Chelsea, Inter Milan and Real Madrid to some of their best seasons during his prime, however, always remained criticised for 'parking the bus' in big games. Arteta, on the other hand, has been heavily praised for his ability to man-manage his squad as they went through somewhat of a transformation.
WHAT NEXT FOR MOUNRINHO?
The Portuguese legend is currently out of a job after he was sacked earlier this year by Roma after the club had entered a downward spiral. He is still in search of a new club, however, in the interview, he also revealed that he would only accept a club if they set realistic targets for him and his tenure at the club.