The Arsenal manager was speaking before Wednesday’s Champions League meeting with Bayern Munich, with debate over the team’s approach growing after a run of strong results that has not always brought a high volume of goals. Arsenal have won 10 of their 11 matches this season, but their narrow victory over Nottingham Forest on Sunday again prompted questions about their attacking fluency.
Arteta also faced questions about comments made by Graeme Souness concerning Bukayo Saka. The former Liverpool midfielder had criticised the winger’s conduct when challenged, but Arteta declined to engage with the claim.
“I haven't heard it and I'm not going to talk about opinions,” he said.
Asked whether public criticism could become dangerous if it shaped the way players were viewed, Arteta replied: “I don't know.
“We are open to opinions. It's part of our job, it's part of our roles and those opinions need to be respected - especially if they are done in a respectful way.
“And we are here to prove that we belong to this level, to this stage and certainly always have the intention and ambition to improve and be better. That's it.”
Arteta also rejected the suggestion that the wider reaction to Arsenal’s performances reflected a common view among supporters and observers. He pointed to changes in the team’s output compared with last season, including more possession, more shots and a greater variety of players contributing, while noting that Arsenal have yet to score from a set-piece this campaign.
“I don't have that impression because I heard that the style was incredible. We have scored so many goals, we have more possession, more shots, different players participating, no goals on set-pieces. So the story is completely different to last year.
“I think we are talking about a very small minority [criticising the team]. I think the other ones, they know. I think they have enjoyed a lot the way we have played and dominated games this year. And I think we have proven that.”
There is, however, an area Arteta wants his players to improve. Arsenal have sometimes found it difficult to break down teams sitting deep, and the manager said those matches demand a different solution from games against sides that press higher.
“The low block demands a different kind of game to the high block. A team that is constantly putting the ball in the last line. It's different.”
He added: “I think it requires something different to the team. Still, I think on Sunday, we could have done things better. And that's in our hands. And we need to recognise that openly as well.”
The comments reflect a distinction Arteta is keen to make: he does not accept that Arsenal’s overall style deserves the criticism it has received, but he recognises that recent performances have not been flawless. With Bayern next, Arsenal face a different test from the compact defences that have frustrated them domestically.
Arteta’s response to the Saka debate was similarly restrained. Rather than fuel a public argument over the winger, he stressed that opinions are part of football and that Arsenal’s responsibility is to keep proving themselves on the pitch.