AS A SEASONED observer of Mikel Arteta’s press conferences over the years, the Arsenal manager is normally calm, even-tempered and fair-minded.

Yet, this past week the Basque-born boss has shown flashes of irritation with the latest flak to be thrown at him.

The buzzword for those critical of Arteta during the early part of this season has been the term “handbrake.”

A loaded phrase insinuating that despite the club’s net spend of £246 million for this season, in recruiting the attacking quartet of Eberechi Eze, Viktor Gyokeres, Noni Madueke and Martin Zubimendi, taking the total outlay during Arteta’s reign to more than £900m, the belief in some quarters is that the Gunners boss is seemingly reluctant to unleash his ever-increasing array of creative talents, thereby underlining an inherently negative mindset.

Applying the “handbrake” in other words.

Arteta’s spikiness surfaced after Arsenal’s 1-1 draw with Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, who came to park the bus in north London last weekend, when there was a hint of tetchiness, after a line of questioning regarding the notion of a “handbrake.”

When asked if he was surprised by the reaction to his approach against City, Arteta’s eyes momentarily narrowed, and observers noted a flash of irritability in his tone, as he replied: “In football, surprised? I’m not surprised about anything,” before adding: “With my knowledge and my know-how, and how I analyse a football game, it was impossible for anybody to predict such a dominance from Arsenal throughout 96 minutes because it never happened in 17 years of Pep [Guardiola] as a manager…how can you be dominant against such a team if you have a handbrake?

“Dominance and handbrake are two different words.”

The discussion stemmed from the way City posted possession statistics of a meagre 32.8 per cent — the lowest of Guardiola’s storied career. Yet, while xG statistics, to this correspondent at any rate, are deeply flawed, Arsenal’s expected goals total against City was only 0.96, to their visitors 0.89.

Meaning Arsenal were not particularly attacking, or threatening, thereby surrendering momentum when a statement victory would have boosted Arteta’s side no end, even at this early stage of the campaign.

No wonder many critics opted to jump on Arteta’s statement: “If you cannot win, at least don’t lose,” after Gabi Martinelli’s late equaliser grabbed a draw against his old mentor.

Not least because as much as some value a strong defence, the blind belief that draws can take you to a league title is misguided. Slot’s Liverpool didn’t have the best defence during their journey to the title last term, nor did City possess the meanest backline the year before when they finished top of the pile. It was Arteta’s Arsenal who boasted the fewest goals conceded on both occasions, to make it three runners-up finishes on the bounce.

Indeed, despite the truth universally noted that if Arne Slot’s Liverpool have the best starting XI in the Premier League, then Arteta’s Arsenal have the strongest squad — with critics arguing that the latter is simply not making the most of his abundance in riches in attack.

The case for Arteta’s defence

However, given Arsenal are currently second in the table, having already ticked off tough trips to those notable northern citadels of Anfield, and Old Trafford, with another challenge to come in the north-east on Sunday when the Gunners take on Newcastle, the fact they will have ticked off a number of difficult matches before the clocks go back will surely help boost their hopes come the relentless schedule this autumn.

Not to mention the fact that with only two goals conceded so far, the backline are looking impregnable, which is always a good thing, bolstered by the superb summer addition of Cristhian Mosquera.

All the while coping with an injury list that would have floored many other clubs.

Not to mention also kicking-off their Champions League campaign with a hard-fought victory in the Basque cauldron that is Athletic Club’s San Mames in beguiling Bilbao — leaving a number to feel Arteta is copping undue flak, myself included.

Indeed, many now point to the fact the club and the team are arguably the strongest they have been since the halcyon days of Arsene Wenger’s Invincibles — thanks in part to new sporting director Andrea Berta’s assiduous squad building since replacing Edu. With the entire organisation completely unrecognisable from the listing ship it was back in 2019, when Arteta took over.

As for those criticising £63.5m striker Viktor Gyokeres, while also being another stick to beat Arteta with, such criticism is again wide of the mark.

For while Arsenal have had the league’s top scorer four times since 2005, they were unable to win the title each time.

Indeed, Arsenal failed to win the league last term not because they couldn’t beat City and Liverpool — they picked up four points (including memorably routing Guardiola’s side 5-1 back in February) from the former, and two from the latter.

No, it was more because they lacked a flat track bully such as Gyokeres to dispatch Premier League opponents such as Everton (0-0, 1-1) for example, ultimately drawing 14 games in the process.

With three goals in five league games so far, the 27-year-old Swede has made an encouraging start.

Just like his teammates, under Arteta.

For, as I witnessed the Arsenal boss insisting during a rare flash of frustration this week: Dominance and handbrake are two different words.