Retired England international rejects criticism of Arsenal's playing style: 'At the end of the day you’ve got to find ways to win'

Glen Johnson isn't having any of the criticism levelled towards Arsenal.

The Gunners lead the Premier League ahead of Matchweek 9, and they continue to rely on a sturdy defence along with set-piece excellence to get past teams.

Arsenal also create chances through wing play and pressing, which may not result in the prettiest of football, but its effectiveness is without question, according to Johnson.

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“If players have a threat then teams need to use that to win," the former England international told Aceodds.com. "If you’ve got players like [Bukayo] Saka who can whip balls in, you have to use that. If it’s throw-ins then bloody use it."

Johnson rejects comparisons to the likes of Stoke City of the early 2000s, which also relied on several of the same tactics now employed by Arsenal mananger Mikel Arteta.

The difference between that Stoke team and current-day Arsenal is rather stark, he explained.

"Arsenal are probably the best footballing team in the league so I don’t think you can say they play like Tony Pulis’ Stoke," Johnson said.

"At the end of the day you’ve got to find ways to win and that’s what Arsenal are doing.”

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