Former Arsenal midfielder Dani Ceballos has engaged in a war of words with infamous Gunners fan Piers Morgan after the TV host launched bizarre criticism against Mikel Arteta on Tuesday. The 57-year-old took to Twitter after the north Londoners were humiliated 3-0 by Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
Jean-Philippe Mateta, Jordan Ayew and Wilfried Zaha all found the net for the Eagles during a performance that was uncharacteristically poor from a defensive viewpoint. Arsenal also struggled to get going in attack, too, having fired in just three shots on target throughout the 90 minutes.
Following the match, Morgan criticised Arteta ’s decision to allow Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to leave for Barcelona - the Gabonese having found some hot form since arriving at the Camp Nou in the closing hours of the January transfer window.
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He wrote: "This is actually a moment when Arsenal fans need to accept Arteta made a massive season-wrecking mistake in giving away Aubameyang & relying on Lacazette to lead the line.
"I said it would come back to haunt us - and it is."
However, Ceballos has hit back on Morgan’s claims, stating that Arteta’s decisions have been for the good of the club and will only prove to benefit Arsenal in the long-term.
The Spanish midfielder wrote: "Friend let him work is very top. It will also take Arsenal to where it deserves to be. Patience."
Ceballos of course represented Arsenal as he spent two seasons on loan between 2019 and 2021. He ended up making 77 appearances in north London, scoring two goals, and winning the FA Cup.
The Spaniard is now back at Real Madrid but has only been afforded eight outings in all competitions by Carlo Ancelotti this season. He has previously been full of praise for Arteta - suggesting that he was a huge driving force behind his switch to north London.
Speaking to the club’s official website, he said: "There's nothing more important than a coach having faith in you and asking you to come back. That's why I made the decision to come back to this club. The pressure he put on the club to bring me back here was key.
"The main reason I decided to come back was because I had real faith in the project led by Mikel. We did quite well at the end of last season, and I think the confidence that the coach and my team-mates showed in me was what made me come back to this great club.”
