Arsene Wenger has aimed a subtle dig at Mikel Arteta over his failure to compromise at Arsenal - with Mesut Ozil out of the squad.
Arsenal have had a shoddy start to the season as they sit 15th in the Premier League after six defeats.
It has led to huge criticism of the Gunners, and also on Arteta on his rigid style of play.
His tactics have inhibited Arsenal's attack, although they can easily be blamed as well.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Alexandre Lacazette and Willian have scored five league goals between them.
And that is half of their total goal tally in the Premier League - the fourth-worst in the table.
One solution touted has been Ozil - who has been left out of the squad - but could be the creative spark Arsenal need in midfield.
But Arteta does not appear to agree and his decision to continue to ostracise the German playmaker is likely to not change.
However, Wenger is not in the same camp and believes the Spaniard should come to a compromise with the former Real Madrid star.
Without specifically naming Ozil, it is clear who he is referring to as Arsenal's woes continue.
"You have two ways to see a football team," he said.
"You get everybody to do the same - the same intensity of work, the same defensive work - or you find a compromise.
"You have a more creative player in the team who can do less defensive work but you build a team around him who can compensate for these deficiencies.
"That is what you have to think about."
Last month, Arteta gave his most honest view on the Ozil debacle after admitting the situation had left him hurt.
“I’m hurt because I don’t like any player in my squad not to have the possibility to participate or to compete,” he told beIN Sports.
“For me it is really sad because I don’t think anybody deserves that.
“With Mesut at the moment, with the squad list, obviously he cannot be involved.
"I try to be as clear as possible with him and with the fans and all the media because they deserve to know the reasons why and some people will understand and other people won’t understand it.
“The moment that you lose football matches his name is going to come up and when you don’t, it won’t.
“At the end of the day I’m sitting here to make decisions, to make the decisions that, in my opinion, are the best for the football club. And this is what I have to do.”
