2 hours ago
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Mikel Arteta has dismissed suggestions that he employs overly cautious tactics - and maintains his approach represents the most offensive-minded philosophy in the Premier League.
Sky Sports pundits Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher both suggested Arsenal adopted a defensive mindset against Manchester City, claiming the manager applied the "handbrake" through his team selection and tactical approach, as his side claimed a dramatic point through Gabriel Martinelli.
However, speaking ahead of Arsenal's Carabao Cup clash with Port Vale, Arteta delivered a passionate defence of his methods, highlighting how he has assembled an abundance of attacking talent, with even his goalkeepers instructed to play progressively.
Arteta highlighted players such as goalkeeper David Raya, center-back Gabriel and midfielder Mikel Merino as prime examples of his attack-focused recruitment.
The Gunners manager declared: "For sure, if you look at the players that we have, starting from the keeper, very attacking goalkeeper, the most attacking goalkeeper in the league by far.
"The center backs, the most attacking one, in one phase the most attacking one. The two full-backs, you look at every stat, that's it. We mainly play with a player on the right-hand side attacking midfield, he played as a nine last year.
"So how attacking that is, more than a nine playing in midfield, I haven't seen it in the league. So I think we have a lot of attacking, different qualities of attacking players, some of them more talented in some areas than others in relation to the game that we play.
"I think when you look at the winning record on this club, the goals that we scored, the clean sheet that we had, the way we played against Manchester City, in the territory we played against Man City. I cannot waste that opportunity.
"And if the intention of those comments, which ones are the good ones, positive, to be better for us, not to be so good for us, it depends where the comment is coming from. That's when I can analyze it.
"So, how can you be dominant against such a team if you have, what was the word? Handbrake. Dominance and handbrake, they are two different words. But I accept everything. I will learn more to have a different vision.
"What is the intention, what is the purpose of that? Because I had a lot of messages to my phone, they could not believe what we did to Manchester City. People, coaches, managers, CEOs, presidents, so proud.
"I look at the players and the people around. I am much more filled and fueled with that than with other ones that didn't make it."
Arteta is expected to make wholesale alterations at Port Vale with goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga poised to feature and there could be an opportunity for 15 year old Max Dowman following Noni Madueke's six to eight-week injury setback.
Arteta continued: "Everybody loves Max. You just want to hug him, help him. He's such a nice boy as well, and he's very much liked by everybody here."
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