Gary Neville recently suggested that a few Arsenal players looked like they formed a "little mafia" in their 3-0 defeat to Liverpool on Saturday evening.
The Gunners were outclassed by the Reds on the day and barely threatened the visitors' goal throughout the 90 minutes at the Emirates Stadium.
Neville brutally claimed that the side made him feel "uncomfortable" at the weekend.
"At half-time on Saturday I was really uncomfortable with what I'd seen," the former Manchester United defender said on Sky Sports.
"At the end of the game I did something I don't ordinarily do - I usually just get off. I sat around for a few minutes with Martin Tyler and asked' 'what was that?'
"I was really uncomfortable with what I saw and there have been a number of times in the last 10 years when I've been doing Monday Night Football where my anger has emerged and grown over a couple of days since the game.
"Coming out of Saturday, we don't know what goes on behind the scenes at Arsenal, but I have to say there was a few of those players in that front part of the pitch - it looked like a little mafia."
However, the Gunners' players have previously issued their support for Arteta - which go against Neville's claims.
Kieran Tierney recently labelled the Spaniard as a "genius" in a glowing description of the Arsenal boss.
He told Sky Sports: “We know what he wants to do, and we’re getting – well, we hope we’re getting better every week and hopefully the results show that.
“It wasn’t going to be something that would just going to happen straight away because it’s a process.
“The manager is a genius. A football genius. You can see we are all loving working under him and me especially, I love it.
"Every day I’m learning, he has shown me a new light onto football. I’m seeing it a different way now and I’m watching other teams and looking at tactics and that’s just because of the way he has made me think about it."
Tierney's team-mate Dani Ceballos - who is in his second season with the north London club - has also praised Arteta's influence.
The Spanish midfielder told Sky Sports last summer: “We know it’s a plus for us to have someone next to the pitch who can see things we can’t see at certain moments, and he can communicate with us much quicker now that there is nobody in the stadium.
“He is using me in a position which is unusual for me, as a pivot in front of the defence next to Granit (Xhaka), so I think it’s good that he is helping. Someone who is looking at the pitch from the outside can see all 22 players and give better advice about the best positions to be in.”
Alexandre Lacazette, despite not always being in favour under Arteta, was also very complimentary when asked about him earlier this year.
The Gunners striker told RMC: "The coach puts me as a No 9, but more with a role to play for my team-mates and challenge a lot. It is not really a 10’s position, nor an old-fashioned No 9 that has to stay ahead and score goals.
"He knows my qualities and knows that I like to play short and help my team-mates with the development of play.
"Now we’re four behind and three midfielders. It’s much easier, because before we lacked attacking players. This tactical change is also good for us."
Martin Odegaard described the Spaniard as "incredible" as he heaped praise on his temporary manager in March.
“Very good,” Odegaard said about his relationship with Arteta.
“He is incredible. I have a lot to learn from him. I just need to ‘sharpen my ears’ and pay attention. He is fantastic.”
