Arteta on Arsenal criticism and his burning desire to secure a first Champions League trophy for the club
Mikel Arteta has defended Arsenal’s style of play ahead of their Champions League clash with Bayern Munich, dismissing criticism of his side as coming from only a “very small minority”.
The Arsenal boss believes his side deserve credit for the way they have dominated some games this season, insisting the majority of the club’s fans enjoy watching his side, following criticism of the manner of the performance in their 1-0 win over Nottingham Forest.
“I don’t have that impression because we have scored so many goals, have more possession, more shots, different players participating, no goals from set-pieces so the story is completely different to last year,” Arteta said.
“I think we are talking about a very small minority.
“I think the other ones have enjoyed a lot the way we have played and dominated games this year, and I think we have proven that. So that’s my opinion.”
Arteta also stressed that criticism is inevitable at the top level because every leading side has areas it can improve.
“This is for every team guys,” he said.
“If you analyse the other top teams in England, what they are talking about, they all have a list.
“We all have a list because none of us are perfect, thank God we are not perfect, because we can still improve even though we have won the amount of games that we have done.
“Otherwise the next day what do you do? You just expect to be better than the opponent and that’s it.
“Especially in the Premier League, we know that’s very far from the reality.”
Arteta also spoke about his desire to finally win the Champions League after Arsenal came agonisingly close last season.
“I’ve tried, but I haven’t managed it. That’s the reality,” he said.
“I tried for many weeks during the summer but when I hear the music and see the scenes, I want it so badly.
“We know that we have to go step by step but I think that fire is within the team and all of us individually because we know what we had to go through, by a penalty, not being champions of Europe.
“So let’s try again.”
