Raya dismisses criticism of Arsenal’s style before Bayern Champions League match
David Raya says claims that Arsenal are boring do not bother him, while Mikel Arteta acknowledges the team could have attacked better in its latest win.
Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya said in Munich on Tuesday, 20 October, that criticism of his team’s playing style does not bother him ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League match at Bayern Munich. Manager Mikel Arteta described the critics as a ‘very small minority’, according to the Guardian, while acknowledging that Arsenal could have attacked better in their latest win.
Asked about rival supporters calling Arsenal ‘boring’, Raya said: ‘People have their own opinions. We have our own opinion.’ He pointed to the team’s record of one defeat in 11 matches this season and said the players enjoy trying to win every game. His comments answered criticism of how Arsenal have played, rather than a question about whether they have been getting results.
Arteta’s response after the Nottingham Forest win
Arsenal have won 10 of their first 11 matches in all competitions, including a 1-0 victory at Nottingham Forest on Sunday, 18 October. Noni Madueke scored the late winner. The Guardian described that performance as flat and one-paced, and Arteta conceded that his side could have done better in attack. The Forest result gave Arsenal another win while leaving room for the discussion about their performances to follow them to Munich.
Arteta said he believed Arsenal supporters had enjoyed the team’s play and dominance this season. He also argued that criticism can be found about every leading English team. Looking ahead to Bayern, he said the kind of defending an opponent uses changes the attacking problems Arsenal must solve. He said the team needed to recognise what it could improve from Sunday’s match.
Bayern’s selection questions for Wednesday
Bayern have their own uncertainties before hosting Arsenal. Assistant coach Aaron Danks said Vincent Kompany was resting at home with a virus and that the club was assessing the manager’s availability day by day, Reuters reported. Danks said Kompany would have a role in the match whether or not he was at the Allianz Arena.
Danks said Bayern had not decided whether goalkeeper Manuel Neuer would play, although he had returned to training for the previous two days. Joshua Kimmich missed training for personal reasons, leaving his availability unclear. Michael Olise is suspended. Those absences and doubts could affect Bayern’s preparations, but Danks said the team wanted its players to play without fear.
Bayern drew 3-3 against Viking in the Champions League the previous week, then beat RB Leipzig 6-1 in the Bundesliga on Saturday. Danks said small margins would decide the Arsenal match. For Arteta, the fixture also carries the memory of Arsenal’s previous Champions League final defeat to Paris Saint-Germain on penalties; he said he had not managed to get over it.
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Sources and context
- Raya does not care if Arsenal are deemed ‘boring’ as Arteta defends style of playThe Guardian
- Bayern's Kompany, Kimmich, Neuer doubtful for Arsenal clash, says assistant coachReuters, republished by Channel NewsAsia
AI-assisted article checked against the listed sources. NewsJaws did not conduct interviews or attend the reported events.