David Moyes has once again ignited debate in the football world with his candid assessment of a recent match, reviving his famous “the best team lost” line—this time layered with a sharp critique that has fans buzzing. The Everton boss, known for his no-nonsense style, didn’t hold back when reflecting on Arsenal’s performance, labeling their approach as “awful football” in what many see as a brutal takedown.
The quote stems from Moyes’ post-match comments following Everton’s hard-fought encounter with the Gunners. Echoing his infamous 2007 remarks after a 4-1 defeat at Goodison Park—where he insisted Everton “passed the ball better than Arsenal” and played the superior game despite the scoreline—Moyes appeared to channel that same frustration. “The best team lost today,” he reportedly said, before delivering the sting: Arsenal’s football was “awful,” relying on less attractive, direct tactics rather than fluid play. He suggested the result flattered the visitors and that his side deserved more for their efforts on the pitch.
This isn’t the first time Moyes has weighed in on Arsenal’s style under Mikel Arteta, his former player at Everton. In recent weeks, amid growing chatter about Arsenal’s “ugly” or “boring” approach—criticisms from pundits like Paul Scholes and Chris Sutton calling it potentially the “most boring” title-winning side—Moyes has actually defended Arteta’s methods elsewhere. He called Arsenal “brilliant” and argued football would be monotonous if every team played identically, emphasizing results over aesthetics.
Yet this latest outburst feels pointed, perhaps fueled by rivalry or a bad day at the office. Arsenal supporters are fuming, seeing it as sour grapes from a manager whose teams often grind out points pragmatically. Others praise Moyes for speaking truth in an era where winning ugly is increasingly normalized.
The full context? Moyes highlighted specific moments where Everton dominated possession and created chances, only for Arsenal to capitalize ruthlessly—goals from “humps up the pitch” rather than intricate build-up. Whether this sparks a fresh feud or fades remains to be seen, but one thing’s clear: David Moyes knows how to stir the pot.
About the Author
