I realize this is a common taunt, and a trite phrase. It is very popular with academia, and the media.
Are some (and I emphasize some) Americans arrogant? Yes. I have served and traveled with them. I have also lived in Europe and the Middle East for years (not days or months--years). I will tell you that Americans are a much more humble lot than these overall, by far.
The problem is the white hot spotlight of the world is always on America, because of jealousy.
I apologize that I cannot be more eloquent on the matter, but that is that.
Stated perfectly.
Ozarkgirl has perhaps not traveled out of the Ozarks enough. In Asia, there is nothing but ridiculous testosterone induced hubris. Nobody ever called Zhu Chenghu "arrogant" in the western media.
Don't apologize... first - it's a sign of weakness and second you don't have anything to be sorry for...