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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has offered a cheeky response after being compared to Stoke City by former Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov. The Gunners beat the Red Devils 2-0 in the Premier League on Wednesday, December 4, with two goals from corners.
Following the game, pundit Dimitar Berbatov labelled Mikel Arteta's side as the 'new Stoke City'. Stoke City, under Tony Pulis, were a menace from corners and set-pieces thanks to their physicality and Arteta took comparisons with the Potters as a compliment. Berbatov said, as quoted by Express Sport:
"Probably the Premier League is the only league in the world where you have so many players around the goalkeeper, pushing, shoving, making chaos."
The ex-Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur striker added:
“Normally it is going to be a foul. Not here. You need to be strong. And that's probably why he (Ruben Amorim) was watching from the side, he was like, 'What is going on with my keeper?'"
Berbatov concluded:
“You need to work on that. As we joke, Arsenal is the new Stoke City, right? Depending on set-pieces, which can give you the win, as it was today."
Mikel Arteta, in a cheeky response, said in his pre-match press conference ahead of Arsenal's away game against Fulham, as quoted by Football.London:
"I understood very well what Berbatov said. We take it as a big compliment because Stoke were so good at it. We want to be the kings of everything. In corners, best in the world. In open play, the best in the world."
He added:
“Before, [the accusation] was we didn’t score enough, we didn’t challenge, we didn’t win big games for 20 years. We want to be the best of the best.”
Arsenal have been by far the best team in Europe in terms of attacking set-pieces and making the most of it. Since the start of the 2023-24 season, they have scored 22 goals from corners, which is the most in Europe (Source - Opta via BBC Sport).
The north London giants travel to Craven Cottage across London on Sunday, December 8, to take on Marco Silva's Fulham. Arteta's side are third in the table, sitting seven points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool.
Arsenal want Spanish attacking midfielder as Martin Odegaard's understudy: Reports
Arsenal are reportedly tracking the progress of Las Palmas youngster Alberto Moleiro, who has been heavily linked with a host of clubs across Europe. The 21-year-old has impressed in La Liga with Las Palmas catching the eyes of European giants.
A versatile attacking midfielder, Moleiro likes to operate as a number ten but can also feature on the flanks. As per Fichajes.net, Arsenal are keen on Moleiro as they want a quality player to fill in for Odegaard when called upon.
Moleiro has made 15 appearances for Las Palmas this season, scoring on four occasions. In 126 senior appearances for his boyhood club till date, he has contributed with 11 goals and 13 assists in total.
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Edited by Sankalp Srivastava