What most systemd critics consider “bloat”, I consider necessary complexity to solve a complex problem generically.
Other than that, and especially in the case of Arch Linux, nobody is forcing anybody to use any other component of systemd, or as proven by the likes of Artix and Devuan, systemd itself.
From all the hate you see, it does look like that. It is not?
The answer is more complex than a simple yes/no. Fortunately, an actual Arch Linux maintainer shared their experience with init scripts and why it was necessary to switch to systemd: https://redlib.privacyredirect.com/r/archlinux/comments/4lzxs3/why_did_archlinux_embrace_systemd/?
This line is particularly great:
Other than that, and especially in the case of Arch Linux, nobody is forcing anybody to use any other component of systemd, or as proven by the likes of Artix and Devuan, systemd itself.