Mikel Arteta has responded to Dimitar Berbatov labelling Arsenal "the new Stoke City", insisting he sees it as a compliment.
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Arsenal kings of set-pieces this seasonBeat Man Utd 2-0 in midweekArteta responds to Berbatov commentsFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
After Arsenal beat Manchester United 2-0, with both goals coming from set-pieces, ex-Red Devils star Berbatov joked that the Gunners are "the new Stoke", in reference to Tony Pulis' famously direct Potters side. The north London side have scored seven goals from dead ball situations this season, more than any other team.
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Ironically, Arsenal had a dismal record against Stoke during the Premier League era, with Arsene Wenger's sides often coming unstuck at the Britannia Stadium. One run of games saw them win just once in seven trips between 2008 and 2012.
WHAT ARTETA SAID
Asked about Berbatov's comments, Arteta replied: "I understood very well what Dimitar Berbatov said, I was in the best possible way. We take it as a big compliment [because Stoke were so good at it]."
On Arsenal's reputation as 'kings' of set-pieces, he added: "Well we want to be the kings of everything, on set pieces, the best in the world, on high press the best in the world, attacking in open spaces, the best in the world. Best atmosphere and stadium, the best at everything. Before it was we didn’t score enough, we didn’t challenge, we didn’t win big games for 20 years. We want to be the best at everything.
"The best academy, the best individual development for players. We want to be the best of the best. Recruit the best players, the best coaches, that’s the aim."
AFPWHAT NEXT?
Arsenal face Fulham in a Premier League London derby this weekend, before taking on Monaco in the Champions League in midweek.
