O'Hara brands Premier League champions Arsenal 'worst to watch'
Jamie O'Hara has labelled Arsenal, the current Premier League champions, the 'worst to watch' in the division, going as far as calling Mikel Arteta's side 'unbearable'.
Speaking in a video published by Sky Sports, O’Hara said: “You are unwatchable. Terrible to watch. You’re garbage. Fair play, you win games but you are probably the worst champions to watch. You’re finding a way [to win games]. I actually think you were better last season. You’ve not really got going yet [this season] but you are winning games, and you know how to win. You are unbearable to watch.”
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The former Tottenham midfielder made the comments on Sky Sports, taking aim at Arsenal's style under Arteta despite the club sitting as reigning champions. O'Hara did not hold back in his assessment, suggesting the Gunners' approach makes for poor viewing even as results have gone their way.
A familiar criticism
Arsenal's tactical identity under Arteta has long attracted debate. Critics have repeatedly pointed to a methodical, possession heavy approach and a reliance on set pieces as evidence that the team prioritises control and efficiency over entertainment.
Supporters of Arteta's methods would argue that silverware speaks louder than aesthetics, and that no title winning side is universally praised for how it plays. Plenty of champions across Europe's top leagues have faced similar accusations of being dull or overly structured while still topping the table.
O'Hara's comments arrive amid a broader conversation this season about Arsenal's attacking output, with pundits including Jamie Carragher recently questioning whether the squad has enough 'star power' up front. The common thread in much of this punditry has been a focus on how Arsenal win games rather than whether they win them.
Context around the club
The remarks come at a time when Arsenal have also been dealing with other headlines, including an injury concern involving Bukayo Saka and a narrow win over Nottingham Forest courtesy of a late Noni Madueke strike. Arteta's side also drew with Bayern Munich in the Champions League recently, a result that underlined the defensive resilience that has become a hallmark of this Arsenal team.
Whether or not O'Hara's characterisation holds up to scrutiny, it reflects a recurring theme in how Arsenal are discussed in the media this season: a champion side that wins matches but continues to face questions about its style of play.
Arsenal will have little interest in such debates as they continue to chase results on multiple fronts. The scrutiny is unlikely to ease while the club remains at the top of the table, but as history shows, winning tends to be the best response to critics in the long run.
