Mikel Arteta couldn't help but laugh when asked about Paul Scholes' claim that Arsenal would be the dullest Premier League champions ever.
The Gunners boss was having none of it, insisting he's heard quite the opposite from contacts across the continent.
"I hear completely the opposite: all around Europe that we are the most exciting team in Europe – the most goals, the most clean sheets," Arteta said. "Maybe I have different sources."
When pressed on why opinions differ so much between England and abroad, the Spaniard was brilliantly dismissive, asking for names and email addresses so he could have a chat with the critics himself.
Scholes' criticism centred on what he sees as Arsenal's over-reliance on dead-ball situations this season.
The former Manchester United midfielder pointed to the Gunners' front four struggling to find the net regularly, with Viktor Gyokeres sitting as the club's leading league scorer on just six goals.
It's a fair point that set pieces have been crucial – Arsenal have netted 17 times from them, which is three more than any other side in the division.
But Arteta clearly isn't bothered by how the goals come, especially after his team became the first to win all eight Champions League group phase matches.
Tuesday's Carabao Cup semi-final second leg at the Emirates gives Arteta's men the chance to prove their worth once again.
Arsenal head into the clash with Chelsea holding a 3-2 lead from the first encounter, and the boss is desperate to get his squad to Wembley.
Paul Scholes branded Arsenal "boring"
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It would mean everything to the club, who haven't lifted the League Cup since George Graham's side triumphed back in 1993.
The Gunners also boast an impressive record against their London rivals, going unbeaten in their last nine meetings with the Blues.
Arteta made clear that reaching the final is what truly drives him right now.
Arsenal are the favourites to win the Premier League and finished top of the Champions League table
| GETTY"The big one is to get the team and players and all of our supporters together to enjoy that moment," Arteta explained. "That is what really drives me."
The manager is keen to stress that many of his players have never won a major trophy, making this opportunity even more special.
Meanwhile, Chelsea head coach Liam Rosenior hinted his side might try to unsettle the home crowd after Arsenal's nervy league defeat to Manchester United at the Emirates.
"We'll see," Rosenior said with a smile when asked about making the stadium anxious. "We'll go and play our game."