Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya has dismissed criticism that the team’s style of play is boring, emphasizing that the squad remains focused on winning rather than outside opinions. The Premier League champions secured their 10th victory in 11 matches this season with a 1-0 win over Nottingham Forest last Sunday, a result that did not fully convince some observers due to Arsenal’s cautious approach and limited attacking threat in that game.
Ahead of Arsenal’s Champions League clash with Bayern Munich in Germany on Wednesday, Raya was asked whether the criticism of the team’s style affected the players. He replied that it did not, saying, “People have their own opinions. We have our own opinion. At the end of the day, we have lost one game in 11 this season and if you call that boring or irritating, I don’t know what to say.” He added that the players enjoy competing and winning, which remains their priority.
Manager Mikel Arteta shared a similar stance, acknowledging the debate about Arsenal’s style but maintaining that detractors represent only a “very small minority.” He pointed to the team’s strong statistical performance, including high possession rates, numerous shots, and a good goal tally, while noting they have yet to score from set pieces this season. Arteta conceded that the team could improve further offensively, particularly following the recent narrow win over Nottingham Forest, but urged recognition of their overall dominance in many games.
Arteta also reflected on last season’s painful Champions League final defeat to Paris Saint-Germain on penalties, a loss that continues to fuel his motivation. “I tried [to get over it] but I haven’t managed to,” he said, expressing the team’s desire to go further in Europe. Raya added that Arsenal are more prepared for top-level competition this season, highlighting a shift from the cautious approach in last year’s final, when the team had limited possession.
The upcoming game against Bayern presents a different challenge, as the German club tends to play in their opponents’ half rather than adopting a defensive posture. This could offer Arsenal opportunities to display a more expansive style. Bayern may be without manager Vincent Kompany due to a viral infection that has affected his mobility, with assistant Aaron Danks confirming Kompany is resting and his status will be monitored closely.
Both teams have a recent competitive history, including Arsenal’s 3-1 home win over Bayern last season, and the match is viewed as a significant test of Arsenal’s progress in European competition. Arteta acknowledged that every top team faces criticism and underscored the importance of continuous improvement, especially in the demanding Premier League environment where consistent high-level performance is required.