Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta believes criticism of his team’s playing style is only coming from a “very small minority” of observers.
The Gunners have won 10 out of 11 games this season but have not been scoring freely and have struggled to break down teams that defend deep.
On Sunday, they needed an 80th-minute goal from substitute Noni Madueke to edge past Nottingham Forest.
It was just their 11th goal in seven Premier League games so far.
The Gunners won the Premier League last season by conceding the fewest goals in the league and scoring the most from set-pieces.
They have not registered a set-piece goal yet this campaign in any competition.
Asked about the debate surrounding their playing style, Arteta said: “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.”
Arteta says there is room for improvement when they play teams with deep-lying defences.
“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.” said the Spaniard, whose side face Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Wednesday.
“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.”
Goalkeeper David Raya says the players are not irritated by questioning of their style, and suggests Arsenal’s record so far this season speaks for itself.
“People have their own opinions. We have our own opinion. At the end of the day, we have lost one game in 11 this season and if you call that boring or irritating, I don’t know what to say,” he said.
“We enjoy playing football. We enjoy going out there every single day to win football matches, and that’s the most important thing.”