Manchester United winger Amad Diallo has delivered a stinging social media critique of Arsenal's attacking limitations, humorously suggesting their 'only hope' of scoring comes from set-pieces. The jibe followed United's dramatic 3-2 victory over the Premier League leaders at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, a result that marked two consecutive wins under interim manager Michael Carrick.
Diallo's Social Media Spat Highlights Arsenal's Attacking Woes
The Ivorian international, who played 88 minutes on the right flank, engaged in a pointed exchange on platform X with a Manchester United supporter. Responding to a pre-match post from the fan that had jokingly predicted a 4-0 Arsenal victory, Diallo quoted the message alongside the actual 3-2 scoreline with the caption 'Enjoy KID'. When the fan replied, Diallo fired back: 'Your only hope is corner,' accompanied by laughing emojis, before adding 'Be humble KID' with a 'be quiet' emoji.
Statistical Backdrop to the Barbed Comments
Diallo's comments touch upon a significant tactical narrative surrounding Mikel Arteta's side this season. While Arsenal have scored 42 league goals – the second-highest tally behind Manchester City – their attacking players are experiencing pronounced individual droughts. Analysis reveals Bukayo Saka has failed to score in his last 13 appearances across all competitions, while summer signing Viktor Gyokeres hasn't netted a non-penalty goal in his last 11 league outings. Gabriel Martinelli's barren run extends to 13 league matches, with Noni Madueke goalless in his last 25 Premier League games and Leandro Trossard managing just one goal in 11 recent appearances.
This contrasts sharply with Arsenal's remarkable efficiency from set-pieces. The Gunners have scored 26 goals via corners and free-kicks this campaign – the highest tally across Europe's top five leagues – making them synonymous with meticulously rehearsed routines. Diallo's mockery directly references this over-reliance, framing it as a potential weakness exposed during United's victory.
Carrick's Faith in Diallo Pays Dividends
The 21-year-old winger has become an integral component of Carrick's system since the manager's appointment, also starting and completing the full 90 minutes in the derby victory over Manchester City the previous weekend. His prominence is notable given competition for places, with Bryan Mbeumo – traditionally a right-sided player – being deployed as a central striker ahead of Benjamin Sesko, thereby creating space for Diallo's inclusion following his return from Africa Cup of Nations duty with Ivory Coast.
This represents a significant tactical shift for the player, who was frequently utilised as a wing-back under former manager Ruben Amorim's rigid back-three philosophy. His adaptation to a more advanced role under Carrick has been swift and effective, contributing to United's improved recent form.
Vieira Adds to the Critical Discourse
Diallo's social media remarks arrived shortly after former Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira delivered a sobering assessment of his old club's 'mental strength' in the title race. Speaking on Sky Sports, the French legend expressed concern about the manner of the defeat, stating: 'It's not just that they lost the game, it's the way they lost the game. Saka and Trossard didn't produce enough to worry United.'
Vieira emphasised the need for leadership within the squad, arguing that players must demonstrate greater energy and risk-taking in crucial fixtures. He specifically highlighted Saka's unusually quiet performance and Trossard's failure to influence the game, while praising only Declan Rice in midfield for maintaining his competitive standards. This dual critique – from both a current opponent and a club legend – underscores the mounting scrutiny on Arsenal's attacking players as the Premier League title race intensifies.
The episode encapsulates the heightened emotions and psychological warfare of a top-flight clash, where on-pitch results are swiftly amplified through digital banter and punditry. For Manchester United, Diallo's confidence reflects a squad buoyed by back-to-back wins against formidable opposition; for Arsenal, it underscores persistent questions about their offensive variety and big-game mentality as they seek to maintain their championship challenge.
