Arsenal's tactics in their Champions League win over Bayern Munich were put under scrutiny on Wednesday evening and Mikel Arteta has answered back
14:45, 28 Nov 2025
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is riding high at the top of the Premier League
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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is riding high at the top of the Premier League(Image: John Walton/PA Wire)
Mikel Arteta has responded to disparaging claims from Bayern Munich's Joshua Kimmich about Arsenal's style of play - by agreeing with him.
The Bundesliga champions became the latest victims of Arteta's red machine in midweek when they were shot down 3-1 by the Gunners at the Emirates Stadium in the Champions League.
Goals from Jurrien Timber, Noni Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli earned Arsenal all three points, but their style of play was brought into question by German defender Kimmich after the match.
When asked whether Arsenal were the best side that Bayern had faced all season, he told TNT Sports: “No, I don’t think so. I think PSG was the toughest one. Especially the way they play.
“Arsenal is completely different. They rely on set pieces. They love to play long balls. They love to fight for second balls. It was a completely different game against PSG. It was more of a football game.
“Today was not so much about football. It was more about game management and duels. Arsenal did this really well. Their win was well deserved but we have to learn from this game.”
Arsenal have already turned their attention to extending their lead at the top of the Premier League when they face capital rivals Chelsea on Sunday afternoon.
But when Arteta was asked about Kimmich's comments during his pre-match press conference on Friday, the Spaniard found himself almost in agreement with the frank assessment.
When asked whether Arsenal really were all about long balls and set pieces, Arteta said: "No but I think the way both teams play, the way they play against PSG was very similar. The game becomes man-to-man.
"I know what he is saying, it's part of the game, the game is provoked in that manner. It's very understandable."
Despite Kimmich's claims, Arsenal have scored 12 of their last 16 goals from open play. One of the Gunners' goals against Bayern did come from a dead ball situation, however, after Jurrien Timber glanced home the opener from a corner.
The Gunners have lost only once in 19 matches this season and currently sit top of both the Premier League and Champions League tables.
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