Mikel Arteta Responds To Kimmich’s Criticism Of Arsenal Ahead Of Chelsea Clash

Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta, has dismissed Joshua Kimmich’s recent critique of his team’s style, insisting that playing a direct brand of football is not unique to the Gunners.

Kimmich, speaking after Bayern Munich’s 3-1 defeat at the Emirates in Wednesday’s Champions League fixture, accused Arsenal of leaning too heavily on set-pieces and long balls. He suggested that Arsenal are not the stiffest competition Bayern have faced this season, pointing to PSG as a side that delivers more fluent football.

“Arsenal do not play football but try to win games by every means possible,” Kimmich added.

Arteta addressed the comments at his pre-match press conference on Friday. Rather than taking offence, the Spaniard stressed that the match style reflected both teams’ approaches.

“I think the way both teams play, I think the way they played against PSG was very similar,” Arteta said. “When everything becomes man-to-man and the way they are with their full-backs, the way we do what we did in terms of rotation, they create a game that has very long sequences of passes.

“So I know what he’s saying, so that’s fine, it’s part of the game. I think the game is provoked in the manner that both teams play, so it’s very understandable.”

Arsenal now turn their attention to the Premier League, travelling to face second-placed Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.