Former footballer Gary Lineker has accused Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta of employing a tactic reminiscent of those used by Sir Alex Ferguson, former Manchester United manager, in the pursuit of the Premier League title. The Gunners are favorites to win the English league for the first time since 2004, after opening a nine-point lead at the top of the table. Arteta, however, takes nothing for granted, as there are seven games left to play, and his team received a wake-up call before the international break with the defeat in the League Cup final, reminding them of Manchester City's capabilities.

Pep Guardiola's team still have a game in hand and will host the current leaders at the Etihad Stadium in three weeks, where they hope to reduce the difference to at least three points. Given the workload his squad has already undertaken and the arduous schedule ahead, it has not been a surprise to see so many Arsenal players withdraw from their respective national teams over the past week.

Martin Zubimendi and Piero Hincapié confirmed their intentions to return to London Colney ahead of schedule on Sunday, bringing the total number of players who have withdrawn to ten. Lineker suspects that many of these players will recover in time for Arsenal's FA Cup match against Southampton this weekend. Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice will not play for England against Japan. Lineker commented on his podcast 'The Rest is Football' that Arteta could be adopting a role similar to Sir Alex Ferguson's.

Lineker referred to the former Manchester United manager, who often pressured his players, particularly Ryan Giggs, to miss friendly matches with their national teams.

The presenter added that all managers have done this, but it generally depends on the players. The manager always pressured them to withdraw, especially from friendlies. Lineker himself recalls being pressured on a couple of occasions, to which he responded negatively. Alan Shearer, co-presenter of the podcast, conceded that it was logical for so many Arsenal players to opt to rest, given how much is at stake in the coming weeks. Shearer commented that it is not surprising that this happens, and that it is understandable from the club's point of view, which seeks to make history.

Shearer added that the players have the right to make that decision, especially in friendly matches, and that players like Rice and Saka are practically guaranteed their place in the team. The current situation of Arsenal and the possible emulation of Sir Alex Ferguson's tactics highlight the intensity and strategies that are used in the fight for the Premier League title.

The pressure and the players' decisions, along with Arteta's management, will be crucial in the coming weeks to determine Arsenal's success in the competition.

Arsenal, leading the Premier League with a considerable advantage, faces a demanding schedule and the need to keep its players in optimal physical condition. The decision of several players to withdraw from international commitments, motivated by possible injuries or the need for rest, has generated debate about the tactics employed by the club and its coach.

The comparison with Sir Alex Ferguson, known for his ability to manage his players and maximize their resources, adds a layer of intrigue to the situation. Fans and sports analysts will be watching how Arteta handles this situation and whether he manages to lead Arsenal to victory in the Premier League.