Mikel Arteta says Arsenal are 'most exciting team in Europe' after Paul Scholes criticism - what do the stats say?
Published 03/02/2026 at 14:05 GMT
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Let's look at the stats to see if Mikel Arteta's claim that Arsenal are the "most exciting team in Europe" in response to Paul Scholes' criticism is true. The Gunners have enjoyed a sensational 2025/26 season so far, storming six points clear in the Premier league as they look to win their first title since the Invincibles season of 2003/04. They also topped the UEFA Champions League league phase.
Arteta: I’ve got a ‘massive book of people’ who say Arsenal are the 'most exciting team in Europe'
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Mikel Arteta has hit back at criticism from Manchester United legend Paul Scholes, insisting that Arsenal are widely regarded as "the most exciting team in Europe".
The Gunners sit six points clear at the top of the Premier League standings and moved through to the round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League after finishing at the summit of the league phase table with eight wins from eight games.
Scholes has said that Arsenal would be the "worst team to lift the Premier League trophy" if they end the club’s near 22-year wait for a title this term.
He also said they were "boring" mainly due to their lack of goals from forward players.
The Gunners have not lifted the Premier League trophy since their iconic Invincibles side went an entire season unbeaten during the 2003/04 campaign.
Arteta’s side have come in for some criticism in recent years due to their success at set-pieces and direct style of play.
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However, the Arsenal manager says that people across the continent keep telling him how exciting his team is to watch.
"I hear completely the opposite: all around Europe that we are the most exciting team in Europe – the most goals, the most clean sheets," said Arteta. "Maybe I have different sources.
"The big one is to get the team and players and all of our supporters together to enjoy that moment.
"That is what really drives me. [Winning trophies] is a cycle that you want to repeat constantly, and we still have to do that, and some of them, they’ve never done it, so it’s always a first time.
"I think the group is really convinced that we have the ability to do it."
What do the stats say?
Arsenal have scored 46 goals in the Premier League this season, with only Manchester City (49) netting more.
However, despite scoring plenty of goals from set-pieces, the Gunners don't have one distinct style of play.
Arteta’s side have several strings to their bow, and that is reflected in the stats.
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They have the third-highest possession percentage in the league (57.85%), the fifth-highest xG from open play (27.26), and the third-most touches in the opposition box, according to Opta.
That suggests that they are more than capable of deploying a Pep Guardiola-esque possession-based style, but they are also willing to be more direct when the situation calls for it.
They have the most direct attacks in the league (53), as well as the fourth-most direct attack goals (four) and the third-most shots (358).
| Team | Arsenal | Premier League Rank |
| Games Played | 24 | - |
| Direct Attacks | 53 | =1st |
| Direct Attack Goals | 4 | 4th |
| Goals | 46 | 2nd |
| Expected Goals | 42.66 | 4th |
| Total Shots (inc. Blocks) | 358 | 3rd |
| Shots on Target | 122 | 2nd |
| Expected Goals Open Play | 27.26 | 5th |
| Dribbles Completed | 180 | 7th |
| Touches in the Opp Box | 809 | 3rd |
| Possession | 57.85 | 3rd |
| Total Fast Breaks | 26 | =6th |
| Shots from Fast Break (incl. goals) | 24 | =7th |
| Goals from Fast Breaks | 2 | =8th |
In the Champions League league phase they were the highest scorers with 23 goals.
They also ranked joint-top for shots on target (63) and third for expected goals from open play (14.93).
If possession-based football is your thing, Arsenal may not compare to previous contenders like Guardiola’s iconic City sides or Arsene Wenger’s title-winning teams.
Ironically, if you had to compare them to anybody, it would probably be the Manchester United teams of the late 1990s that Scholes was such an influential part of.
Both sides could get the ball down and play when the time was right, but they are equally capable of grinding out a result through sheer grit and determination if needs be.
Arsenal are still in contention to win four trophies this season and next play Chelsea in the second leg of their League Cup semi-final on Tuesday.
The Gunners lead 3-2 after the first leg at Stamford Bridge.
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