Arsenal criticism comes from a very small minority, says Arteta
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta insists that the handful of voices questioning his side’s style represent only a tiny fraction of observers. The Gunners have won ten of their eleven matches this season, but their goal output has been modest and they have found it hard to break down teams that sit deep. On Sunday they needed an 80th‑minute strike from substitute Noni Madueke to beat Nottingham Forest, marking just their eleventh goal in seven Premier League fixtures.
Last season Arsenal clinched the title by conceding the fewest goals in the league and by scoring the most from set‑pieces. So far this campaign they have not scored a single set‑piece goal in any competition. When asked about the ongoing debate over their playing style, Arteta replied, “I don’t have that impression because I heard the style was incredible. We have scored many goals, we have more possession, more shots, different players participating, no goals on set‑pieces. So the story is completely different to last year. I think we are talking about a very small minority criticizing the team. The others have enjoyed the way we have played and dominated games this year, and we have proven that.”
Arteta acknowledged that there is still room for improvement against teams that defend deep. “The low block demands a different kind of game to the high block. A team that is constantly putting the ball in the last line. It’s different,” the Spaniard said ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League clash with Bayern Munich. “I think it requires something different from the team. Still, I think on Sunday we could have done things better, and that’s in our hands. We need to recognise that openly as well.”
Goalkeeper David Raya said the squad is not rattled by criticism and pointed to the record so far as evidence. “People have their own opinions. We have our own opinion. At the end of the day we have lost one game in eleven this season and if you call that boring or irritating, I don’t know what to say,” he said. “We enjoy playing football. We enjoy going out there every single day to win football matches, and that’s the most important thing.”