Mikel Arteta has hit back at critics of Arsenal’s dependence on set-pieces, saying he is disappointed the Premier League leaders do not score even more goals from dead-ball situations.
Arteta’s side has established a five-point lead at the top of the league, thanks in large part to their success from set-pieces.
They equalled the Premier League single-season record for goals from corners with two in Sunday’s 2-1 win over Chelsea to reach 16 for the campaign.
But Arsenal’s excellence since Nicolas Jover took over as set-piece coach has sparked criticism of their reliance on the tactic.
The debate on whether set-pieces are ruining football as a spectacle is raging, with Liverpool boss Arne Slot revealing he no longer enjoys watching some Premier League matches.
Former Chelsea striker Chris Sutton, a Premier League title winner with Blackburn, said Arsenal will be the “ugliest” Premier League champions if they go on to clinch the title.
Arteta is unrepentant, insisting that his only concern about the use of set-pieces is to make sure Arsenal are even more efficient with them.
“I’m upset that we don’t score more, and that we concede as well,” he told reporters on Tuesday, on the eve of a trip to Brighton.
“We want to be the best and the most dominant team in every aspect of the game, and that’s the trajectory and the aim of this team, and as a club, we want to be the same. So we try to do that.”
Asked if he was surprised at the criticism aimed at his side, Arteta replied: “Part of the job.”
City manager Pep Guardiola believes teams should focus on adapting to the set-piece strategy rather than complaining about the issue.
Arteta, who worked under Guardiola at City before joining Arsenal, agrees with his fellow Spaniard’s assessment.
“Now teams are adapting. Chelsea, look at the quality they have and the number of set-pieces they score. Manchester United as well. I was at Man City, I used to work a lot on them,” he said.
Undeterred by the claims that Arsenal will be “ugly” champions, Arteta said: “I don’t know how you celebrate one goal different from another one. Maybe for YouTube it’s nicer one or another. I don’t know.
“I would like to play with three players extra in my own half to get some beautiful football. This is not the reality of football.
“If you want to watch that football, you have to go to a different country because in the Premier League, for the last two seasons or three seasons, this is not the case.”
