Arteta: I have ‘book of people’ who say Arsenal most exciting team in Europe
Mikel Arteta has launched a passionate defense of Arsenal’s style of play by revealing he has a “massive book of people” who believe his team is “the most exciting in Europe”.
Arsenal are six points clear at the top of the Premier League and qualify for the Champions League last 16 as group winners after winning all eight of their matches.
Arteta’s men are also just one game away from next month’s Carabao Cup final. They will meet Chelsea in the second leg of their semi-final at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday evening with a 3-2 advantage from the opening match.
However, in some quarters, Arsenal have attracted criticism for their reliance on goals from corners and set pieces. 14 of their 46 league goals this season have come from corners.
But when Arteta was asked about some of the criticism aimed at his brand of football, the Spaniard replied: “I hear completely the opposite, all over Europe, saying that we are the most exciting team in Europe.
“The more goals, the more clean sheets, the more of that. Maybe I have different resources?
“I don’t know which people (said that). You send me the names and addresses and emails and maybe we can talk, but I can give you a huge book of all the people (who don’t think that).”
The 2020 FA Cup remains the only trophy of Arteta’s six-year reign, but it would seem unimaginable at this stage that his side would end another season empty-handed.
The Carabao Cup could be big with a possible final meeting on March 15 against Arsenal’s rivals Manchester City.
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And Arteta knows that winning the competition could prove a catalyst in his side’s trophy ambitions.
“You work to win lots of trophies and the pleasure that brings; the confidence, the confidence, and unlock something in yourself, and then you want more,” Arteta said.
“And it’s a cycle that you want to repeat constantly, and we have to do it again, and some of them have never done it, so it’s always a first time.
“But the group is really confident that we have the ability to do it. We’re also very aware that it’s nothing, and we have to work every day, and that’s all we’re focused on.
“I expect the crowd (Tuesday night) to be like it has been all season, and the last few seasons, which is with us. We’ve had some incredible times together, and tomorrow we have to bring all the energy and optimism we can, and in a few weeks be together at Wembley.”