Mikel Arteta gets earful again as Jeff Stelling forced to switch off Arsenal match

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Former Sky Sports Soccer Saturday presenter Jeff Stelling has revealed he switched off his television after becoming fed up with what he felt was a tedious performance from Arsenal against Crystal Palace . Mikel Arteta's troops strengthened their grip at the top of the Premier League table with a 1-0 triumph over the Eagles.

The Gunners secured victory courtesy of their ninth set-piece strike of the domestic season , with Eberechi Eze capitalising on a knockdown to fire home a half-volley against his former club. The north London outfit clung on to claim all three points and establish a four-point advantage over second-placed Bournemouth whilst opening up a six-point gap on Manchester City .

Nevertheless, numerous critics have voiced concerns regarding the brand of football Arteta is implementing. Many believe they have been far too reliant on set pieces, with nine of their 14 Premier League goals coming from a dead ball situation of some sort.

Stelling launched a scathing attack on the Arsenal manager, insisting his team are serving up boring and uninspiring football. Speaking on talkSPORT , he declared: "You can't keep on relying on set plays, they just can't.

"This is the fourth game they've been involved in this season, in nine Premier League games, that's finished 1-0. There is a 1-1 in there as well.

"They've got great players. I love some of the Arsenal players. I love Saka, I love Odegaard when he is playing and I love Eberechi Eze as well.

"But please, be just a bit more expansive. Watching Arsenal against Crystal Palace was like watching paint dry. It was purgatory. I started watching that match and I'd had enough by the time Arsenal had a shot, because their first shot was on 33 minutes when they scored their goal. I had turned over by then."

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Arteta's style of play has been criticised by others, including former Tottenham Hotspur and Portsmouth midfielder Jamie O'Hara. He believes Arsenal are responsible for the recent surge in long throw-ins and intricate set-piece routines.

He expressed his disbelief saying: "But the top teams doing throw-ins? I can't believe what I'm watching. It's all down to Arsenal, Arsenal started this. Arsenal started the long throw, the set-pieces. They've killed the Premier League in terms of fluid football and enjoyable football."

Despite this, Arteta acknowledged his team needed another set-play to break the deadlock against Palace. However, he was not affected by the criticism.

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Arteta said: "It doesn't make a difference how difficult it is, I think they all have the same value. We are noticing a shift, the moment the physicality increases, methods that are implemented are more efficient.

"And the game is more difficult to play because you can constrain spaces, because physically you are better. You have to find ways to score in different ways and that's what I think everybody's trying to do."

Arsenal will welcome Brighton and Hove Albion in the fourth round on Wednesday, before heading off to face Burnley in their next Premier League match on 1 November.

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