Mikel Arteta insists Arsenal have not become too predictable in attack this season.
The Gunners sit third in the Premier League table heading into their crucial clash with league leaders Liverpool on Sunday, having won their last two games against Crystal Palace and then Nottingham Forest.
Arteta’s side sat top of the table this time last season following an outstanding first half of the campaign but have not reached those standards this season, despite managing to mount another title challenge so far.
But the Arsenal boss dismissed suggestions that being too predictable is the reason they have failed to match last season’s high levels.
“It’s not my impression,” Arteta said.
“I don’t mind ugly goals. I love ugly goals, I love cheap goals, let’s have them.
“But you have to produce them. These ones I don’t know how to coach it. To tell someone to hit there, hit it in the head, go the other direction.
“We have to try to do what gives us the best chance to win the game, if it’s an element of surprise, if it’s to create certain issues to the opponent or for them to adapt from what they normally do.
“I’m fully on board, if you put the players especially in positions where they are comfortable.”
And asked whether scoring more is simply a case of shooting more, Arteta added: “It’s about taking the shot when you have to, it’s like any decision making. Not too early, not too late, in the right moment and with the right intention, and that’s football.”
