Mikel Arteta has issued a firm response to Joshua Kimmich's criticism of Arsenal's direct playing style, following the Gunners' impressive 3-1 victory over Bayern Munich in the Champions League.
Kimmich's Controversial Comments
The German midfielder sparked controversy after Tuesday's match at the Emirates Stadium, where Arsenal handed Bayern their first defeat of the season across all competitions. Rather than praising the victors, Kimmich dismissed suggestions that Arsenal represented Bayern's toughest challenge this campaign.
'I think PSG were the toughest one, especially the way they play football,' Kimmich stated. 'Arsenal is completely different. They rely on set-pieces. They love to play the long balls, they love to fight for the second balls, it was a completely different game.'
The Bayern star went further, claiming that the match against Paris Saint-Germain was 'more a football game', while suggesting the encounter with Arsenal was 'not so much about football, it was about game management, it was more about the duels.'
Arteta's Calm Rebuttal
When confronted with Kimmich's remarks during his pre-Chelsea press conference on Friday, the Arsenal manager delivered a measured but pointed response. Arteta highlighted the tactical similarities between both matches and explained how different approaches can create contrasting types of football.
'I think the way both teams play, I think the way they played against PSG was very similar,' Arteta countered. '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.'
The Arsenal boss demonstrated his tactical understanding while refusing to be drawn into a war of words, simply noting 'I know what he's saying, so that's fine, it's part of the game.' He concluded that the nature of any match is 'provoked in the manner that both teams play, so it's very understandable.'
Looking Ahead to Chelsea Clash
With the Bayern fallout addressed, Arteta turned his attention to Sunday's crucial Premier League encounter against London rivals Chelsea. The match pits league leaders Arsenal against second-placed Chelsea in what promises to be a pivotal early-season showdown.
When asked if Chelsea represent the best attacking force in the Premier League, Arteta offered generous praise for Enzo Maresca's side. 'The sample now, it's a bit early in the season, so it's difficult to say, but it's one of the teams that I enjoy the most watching,' he admitted.
Arteta highlighted Chelsea's 'fluidity, strength, and individual talent' while acknowledging their clear tactical identity makes them 'pretty tough' opponents. Despite the magnitude of the fixture, the Arsenal manager maintained his characteristic focus on the immediate challenge, stating 'For us it is [the biggest game], because it's the next game.'
As Arsenal prepare for this critical London derby, Arteta's calm handling of Kimmich's criticism demonstrates his growing maturity in managing both on-field tactics and off-field narratives.
