Man Utd icon Peter Schmeichel blasted as ex-Arsenal star fires back at ‘ugly’ comment

Peter Schmeichel was scathing of Arsenal’s “ugly brand of football” after their 1-0 defeat to Liverpool, but Theo Walcott has fired back at the former United goalkeeper

Former Arsenal star Theo Walcott has branded Manchester United legend Peter Schmeichel “sour” following his scathing remarks about Arsenal’s playing style in their loss to Liverpool on Sunday. Mikel Arteta’s team managed only one shot on target at Anfield last weekend, as a magnificent late Dominik Szoboszlai free-kick clinched victory for Arne Slot’s champions.

Subsequently, the ex-United goalkeeper, who has previously criticised the Gunners, condemned Arsenal for displaying an “ugly brand of football” with their cautious tactics, which annoyed several pundits.

Walcott, who played for the Gunners between 2005 and 2018, argued that Arteta’s defensive strategy against Liverpool had actually succeeded in Arsenal’s opening weekend clash with United, in which the Gunners triumphed 1-0.

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According to Walcott, Schmeichel’s criticism stemmed from bitterness following United’s defeat to their rivals, as per the Manchester Evening News.

“Well, it worked at Man United so maybe Schmeichel is a bit sour from that result,” Walcott said about Arsenal’s playing approach on the It’s Called Soccer! podcast.

“Because there are times when it works. But the plan in those games is to stay in the game and this is the dynamic, and where I feel Mikel Arteta is at this moment in time.”

Referring to the substantial financial support Arteta has received in the transfer market this summer, Walcott continued: “He’s now equipped, the club have really backed him with investment and now he’s got options everywhere but he likes to go back to his [mantra] of, ‘We need to stay in the game’.

“I’ve played with managers, Arsene [Wenger] at times, when you’re in the games and you’re like, ‘Just bring on another forward as this is where you can score more goals’.

“Managers are too afraid of losing and this is the problem, because now he’s lost, everyone is going to look at this way and say, ‘Well they lost, they weren’t adventurous and playing with that freedom.’ But it was working up to a certain point.”

Arsenal were without Bukayo Saka, whilst skipper Martin Odegaard was only deemed fit enough for the substitutes’ bench. Nevertheless, a dependence on dead-ball situations and corners meant Arsenal fell short in both possession and expected goals statistics against Liverpool, leaving Schmeichel frustrated by their tactical approach.

“I have never in my life ever wanted a team to win a game of football more than Liverpool today. Arsenal bring an ugly brand of football to our game,” he said on Viaplay after Liverpool’s 1-0 win.

“I don’t want to insult Arsenal but their brand of football is so annoying to watch, it’s designed to exploit opponents while waiting for set pieces.”

Arsenal have been known as set-piece specialists for over a year, a strategy that has helped them secure victories in several high-profile matches. However, they’ve often faced criticism for their inability to break down teams with an attractive style of football.

Ex-United defender Gary Neville echoed Schmeichel’s sentiments. “Same old, same old for those Arsenal fans,” he said on Sky Sports.

“They’ve seen this before. They look comfortable in a big game, but at this moment in time haven’t got that risk in their game, that courage to go and think they can win.”

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