Mikel Arteta addressed the stylistic criticisms of Arsenal.

The Gunners kicked off the campaign with successive 3-0 victories against Manchester City in the Community Shield and Coventry City on opening day in the Premier League. However, the questions about the sustainability and strength of their balance remain concerning their attack.

‘We have produced moments’

A tight 1-0 win at the City Ground against Nottingham Forest, who did not concede a single shot on target until the winning goal from Noni Madueke, fuelled the debate further. Arteta defended his side.

“Again, a low block demands a different kind of game to the high block, with a team that is constantly putting a ball in the last line, it’s different. I think it requires something different to the team.

“On Sunday, we could have done things better, but that’s in our hands and we need to recognise that openly as well, but we did a lot of great things as well in the game against a really tough opponent, very, very well coached as well. We did something that we didn’t manage to do two years in a row, so that’s another step and a positive one, a really positive one. Then we learn from it and we go.

“If you analyse the top teams in England, I don’t care what they are talking about, but they all have a list. We all have a list because none of us are perfect. Thank God that we are not perfect, thank God we can still improve, even though we have won the games we have won.

“Otherwise, the next day, what do you do? You just expect to be better than the opponent and that's it. And especially in the Premier League, we know that's very far from the reality.