“It’s a diabolical thing to talk about” - Ex-Arsenal star slams Liverpool boss Arne Slot for comments about Gunners amid Reds’ worrying form

Former Arsenal midfielder Anders Limpar has launched a scathing attack on Liverpool manager Arne Slot, calling his recent comments about the Gunners’ playing style ‘a diabolical thing to talk about.’ This comes after Slot appeared to downplay Arsenal’s set-piece prowess.

Mikel Arteta’s side, who are currently atop the Premier League table, have proven to be unplayable in dead-ball situations, with a large portion of their goals coming from set pieces. Liverpool, on the other hand, have fallen from grace, having lost each of their last four Premier League matches and sitting outside the top four.

Amid his side’s poor run of form, Slot seemingly undermined Arsenal’s set-piece strength during a press conference in September. When asked about his team conceding more from set-pieces, Slot responded:

"If you’d tell me that we've conceded 40% of our goals from set pieces, and the No. 1 in the league has scored 60% of their goals from set-pieces, and we're still one point behind that team, I would probably think, 'It's not even that bad!'"

However, the Dutchman’s remarks didn’t sit well with Limpar, who has now leapt to the defense of his former team and slammed Slot for his ‘excuses.’

"It’s just excuses, he can’t say that as an opposition manager,” (Limpar said via Mirror). “It doesn’t really matter how you win games so long as you win games. Over the long run, you have to play all the best teams. To be criticised for scoring from set pieces or not, it’s a diabolical thing to talk about in my opinion.

He added:

"Shall we look back at the last four years and look at what City have done or not have done, or what Liverpool have done or not have done? At the end of the day, they’ve all had scrappy wins for sure here and there. Arne Slot has to cope with losing the last four league games on the trot. It’s not normal for them. "Now suddenly they are having these setbacks and you have to cope with that as a manager, especially at a top club in the Premier League. It’s normal business. I hate players who have excuses. I don’t like managers having excuses."

Arsenal have scored the most goals (11) from set pieces this season in the division so far this season, two more than any other side (Chelsea are second on nine).

Alan Shearer reveals two reasons why Arsenal have ‘huge advantage’ over Liverpool in Premier League title race

Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer tipped the Gunners as strong favorites for the Premier League this season, suggesting that the north London club’s defensive strength and set-piece prowess give them the edge over their rivals, including Liverpool.

Sharer said on The Rest is Football podcast:

“You’re going to get games like this that come after a European game in midweek and you just need to get the result. It wasn’t as comfortable as Arsenal would like and it wasn’t a great performance but they won the game.“The huge advantage Arsenal have over Liverpool, Man City and whoever else thinks they can challenge is the defence and the set-pieces.”

Both Arsenal and Liverpool have already faced each other this season, with the Reds coming out on top with a 1-0 win.

Edited by Ezekiel Olamide