Hokusai News About

Ruud Gullit says modern football is 'garbage' - but Arsenal’s success tells a different story

· Yahoo Sports

Ruud Gullit says modern football is 'garbage' - but Arsenal’s success tells a different story originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel calls them "cheats", while Ruud Gullit says he doesn't want to watch football anymore.

Visit albergomalica.it for more information.

With only five points separating Arsenal and Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table, fans and pundits alike have suggested that the Gunners could 'bottle' it again.

Mikel Arteta's side are attempting to end a run of three consecutive second-place finishes behind City by finally lifting the title.

Yet amid all the title talk, a large amount of criticism has been directed at Arteta and his team's playing style.

Among the critics is Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler, who said ahead of his side's game against Arsenal on Wednesday that rule changes may be required to prevent time-wasting from the Gunners and other clubs.

"No-one recognises it, but when Arsenal have a corner and they are leading, sometimes they spend over a minute just to take a corner.

MORE: Are Arsenal really so boring? It's time to bust the Premier League leaders' flawed set-piece narrative

"Therefore we just have to make clear rules, because then in the end we have a natural game time of 50 minutes instead of sometimes 65 minutes.

"The game is changing so much if you don't have natural game time for all the games. We analyse it and the difference is just massive."

Perhaps the most viral comments, however, came from Netherlands legend Ruud Gullit, who lambasted Arsenal after their 2-1 win over Chelsea at the weekend. All three goals on Sunday were scored from set pieces.

"I have decided to stop watching football. I don't enjoy our sport anymore. I watched Arsenal vs Chelsea - what an absolute garbage match of football! I see players trying to create corner kicks, trying to create throw-ins, I see ball boys ready to give towels to the players. Football has become absolutely horrible. I hope that this is not the path we are heading down.

"I am waiting for players who will take on defenders again, someone like Lamine Yamal. I am missing the joy! I just don't enjoy football anymore. Everyone is executing tasks on the pitch. Where are the players dribbling? Where are the players with courage? Why is everyone passing? Passing! Passing! Passing!"

Are Gullit's comments right or wrong?

In an era of hyperbole, exaggerated headlines and pundits chasing views rather than substance, Gullit is entitled to his opinion. But it does not hold up to much scrutiny.

It is true that Arsenal rely heavily on set pieces this season. The statistics show they dominate chance quality in tight matches, though many of those opportunities come from dead-ball situations rather than open play.

The debate over whether football is attractive is an age-old one. Does intricate passing play and working the ball into the net provide more enjoyment than scoring from a corner? There is no universal answer.

If Arsenal were to win the Premier League this season after more than two decades without the title, it is unlikely their supporters would care how the goals arrive.

Gullit's comments also raise a broader question: if you genuinely no longer enjoy football, why continue working in punditry, where the job is to analyse the game? It seems a contradictory position to take.

It is certainly something Arteta does not appear overly concerned about. Speaking after the Chelsea win, he said:

"I'm upset that we don't score more from corners - and we concede them. We want to be the best and most dominant team in every aspect of the game. That's the aim and trajectory of this team. On criticism for doing so well at set pieces: part of the job.

"Chelsea, look at the quality they have and the set pieces they score. Manchester United are doing so well at them. At Manchester City I used to work a lot on them.

"Before, when you used to do a game plan, you would invert a full-back or bring an extra player in midfield or bring a false nine. Opponents, c'est fini. Big overload. Two versus one inside, four versus three inside — time on the ball, 70 to 80 per cent possession. The other side: two counter-attacks and set pieces, and the game is done.

"Nowadays? Teams are adapting. Everything is almost man to man. It's going to be a different game unless we change the rules."

The facts, however, are difficult to ignore. Arsenal are scoring from set pieces at record levels, and many of those goals are directly changing games.

Set-piece coach Nicolas Jover has become one of the most influential figures behind the scenes at the club. It's understood he even receives a bonus for each set-piece goal Arsenal score, an example of how valuable these situations have become.

Historically, elite teams have relied primarily on open-play patterns, individual creativity and quick transitions.

However, Arsenal possess aerial threats such as Gabriel, William Saliba and Declan Rice, for whom dead-ball situations have become a reliable way of breaking stubborn opponents. They have even hired elite throw-in coach Thomas Gronnemark to improve another key aspect of their games.

In the context of a title race, that reliability can be decisive and championships are often decided in matches where the score remains level deep into the game, where opponents defend deep and clear chances are limited. In those moments, teams need a consistent way to find the breakthrough.

Ultimately, the debate is subjective. Some supporters crave dribbling, flair and individual brilliance. Others simply care about results.

But if someone truly no longer enjoys watching football, the solution is fairly simple: you do not have to watch it.

For Arteta and his Arsenal side, the criticism will matter little if they are crowned champions in May.

Arsenal fixture schedule: Next five games

  • Brighton vs. Arsenal | Premier League | Wednesday, March 4
  • Mansfield vs. Arsenal | FA Cup fifth round | Saturday, March 7
  • Bayer Leverkusen vs. Arsenal | Champions League Round of 16, first leg | March 11
  • Arsenal vs. Everton | Premier League | Sunday, March 15
  • Arsenal vs. Bayer Leverkusen | Champions League Round of 16, second leg | March 17

Read at source