In this campaign, Arsenal has been repeatedly called out for using dark arts, particularly when facing opponents who seem to be on their level or above.
During their match against Manchester City earlier in the season, the Gunners resorted to these tactics while down to ten men for almost the entire second half.
Mikel Arteta’s side displayed remarkable bravery and defensive skill, managing to hold onto their lead deep into added time before City was fortunate enough to score and share the spoils.
Instead of being praised for their resilience, some fans criticised them for their style of play and the use of dark arts.
This debate has continued, and Metro Sport reports that David Raya was booked for using similar tactics during Spain’s last match.
The report states that Raya delayed kicking the ball and received a yellow card for time-wasting, suggesting he was applying what he had learned at Arsenal.
Just Arsenal Opinion
The use of dark arts has been exaggerated when it comes to us because we still play some of the best football in the country.
We defend very well, and not everyone would like our style of defence, but that does not mean we should change it.
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I have to laugh when they talk about any Arsenal player performing the dark arts as they call it, anyone would think that it’s something new that Arsenal have discovered, come you gutter press. Get real, all the teams have done this for years, stop acting like it’s a new phenomenon that’s been discovered by Arsenal.
Although I will say this, I don’t like the so called dark arts either from my team or the other teams. Reason being is that the fans are being short changed, they pay to be entertained. Not to watch players feigning injury’s and taking time to get the game restarted at every opportunity.
After all, don’t clubs keep banging on about how important fans are to the club, well if that’s the case, prove it and play the game.
I hope Arsenal players and Arteta pay no heed to the ruthless media and opposition fan bases and continue to play the way they are currently playing and I am sure we are winning silverware this season.
Regardless of whether it’s described as “dark arts” or not – surely a pretty daft description for intentional time wasting which has been around for as long as football has – the obvious answer is if you’re going to be booked for it – don’t do it.
After all, if Raya or any other Arsenal player gets a booking, they run a risk that a second booking – either for a repetition or something different – during a game will get them sent off. Why bother, all for the sake of seconds?