Sammer unleashes fury: 'arsenal should just shut up'

Matthias Sammer, the iconic former Bayern Munich and Germany midfielder, hasn’t minced words in his assessment of the recent criticism leveled at arsenal. In a blistering assessment aired on Prime, Sammer essentially told arsenal’s detractors – including German coach Fabian Hürzeler – to pipe down, prioritizing silverware over stylistic debates.

The 'no b-grades in football' doctrine

Sammer’s outburst stemmed from a growing chorus of commentary questioning arsenal's pragmatic, occasionally uninspiring, approach to securing Champions League qualification. He delivered a scathing rebuke, stating, “I just want to say to arsenal: they should all shut up. All of them. There are no B-grades in football; it’s about winning titles at the end. And whoever has won a title is right.” The ferocity of his statement underscores a deep-seated belief in results above all else, a sentiment that resonates strongly within German football culture.

The trigger for Sammer’s ire was particularly pointed criticism from Brighton & Hove Albion manager Fabian Hürzeler, who recently declared Arsenal’s play “not football,” citing concerns about time-wasting tactics. Sammer, while acknowledging Hürzeler’s talent and respect for his career trajectory, dismissed the critique as premature. “They aren’t particularly sharp at the moment, but to criticize them so harshly… I highly respect him, and I value his path, but before you criticize a team like that, you need to have won at least three titles, not just been promoted with Pauli or in the Premier League.”

Mats Hummels, also present during the Prime broadcast, echoed Sammer’s perspective, acknowledging the criticism that Arsenal’s style isn't always aesthetically pleasing. He referenced similar discussions around Borussia Dortmund’s performances, where a focus on results sometimes overshadowed concerns about dominance. “There’s a criticism that you don't play beautifully,” Hummels noted,