Mikel Arteta has praised the Arsenal fans for the atmosphere they created during the 2-1 win over Leicester last weekend.
The stadium was rocking when Danny Welbeck’s goal went in, but before that it was a cauldron of noise – a lot of it directed in ire at the referee, in fairness – and the Arsenal captain says that played a part in getting that big result.
“The atmosphere at Emirates last weekend was the best I have known for a long time,” he said.
“It was like the wind was blowing our way because the fans were all behind us. Even down on the bench, you could feel it. The atmosphere the fans created was unbelievable and it really helped the team to believe and keep pushing until the last second.”
Arteta, who didn’t make the squad, was there are the tunnel to dish out Lego-haired high fives and hugs to teammates at the end of the game, and he also had words for goalscorer Welbeck.
“I could see that goal coming,” he said. “Sometimes for strikers it takes a while for them to get their sharpness back – but with Danny he’s looked really good right from the off.
“The manager gave him the opportunity in a big game like that, when there was all to play for, and he showed how important he is.”
And if you think he was just saying that after the fact, check out his programme notes from before the Leicester game.
Arteta's programme notes. #mikelknows pic.twitter.com/934b4Zzj9y
— arseblog (@arseblog) February 14, 2016
He has to start with Elneny in the middle.
I would certainly like to see him on the field at some point, but I sadly don’t see him starting.
This is an article about Arteta talking about the Leicester game. This comment would make more sense on an article about tomorrow.
Ospina
Bellerin – Per – Chambers – Gibbs
Elneny – Coquelin
Campbell – Iwobi – Sanchez
Welbeck
That’s my XI for tomorrow. Here’s to hoping for a good day all round ?
I would start walcott instead of welbeck as we dont want to rush him in. We could sub him in at around 70min
Arteta and Walcott instead of Coq and Sanchez. Dont think we should overuse Sanchez right now. We can change it if things don’t work out
Why don’t we start flamini at right back and give young bellerin a breather too coz of all people we really can’t afford having him injured
Arteta is such a chap. He’s the chapiest chap in chaptown. El Chapitan.
That Captain Lego Hair is a wise man, he is. Please come back soon.
The tears almost shed at halftime became tears of joy at the end of the game which has become the norm for us fans. The atmosphere at the game was incredible and it’ll take more of that to squeeze out points for the rest of the season. We’ve got tough away fixtures so the least we can do is build on that feeling in the grounds for the home games and be the 12th man, bc lets face it, the refs are usually the 12th man for whoever we’re playing. Think what you want of Arteta but this guy is… Read more »
I have a lot of manure m8s, and every single one of them send me Snapchats when we’re down 1-0 or losing etc.
I almost had to physically restrain myself from sending them snapchats of the scoreline against Midtjylland yesterday, but luckily didn’t send them snapchats of anything. I always think I’m too good for that. Let them be jealous when we win the league and they’re 6th at the end of the season.
’12th man’ really is important, even on the telly you can hear the racket the Leicester crowd make. Could do with more of that at ours
Just want to say something really important here, not on topic, but important – Debuchy is a cunt.
Shame we will have to Lego of him as a player at the end of the season. Real nice guy and in his time a real asset to the team.
Looking forward to seeing Elneny again
I also believe that the atmosphere at the stadium last week was one of the major reasons that we won the game. It motivates the players to go that extra yard.
If we could maintain a similar atmosphere in the remaining games, it could make a big difference. And it’s all about small margins at this stage.
Up the gunners
Any more wind and his hair would have been ruffled.
It made a big difference with all the fans staying to the end instead of watching a team pushing for the winner in front of banks of empty seats.
I miss Rambling Pete.
me too!
its great to see our captain making such a positive impact on the program notes seeing as he makes zero impact on the pitch
Captains with no impact on the pitch worked for last two FA cups. Long may it continue
Oh dear.
All hair the captain
I know he divides opinion but I will always admire Arteta for his contributions to the club. I would love to see him lift the Premier Leage trophy at the end of the season so he can retire in style.
Is Arteta injured? If not, he should definitely be playing vs Hull.
Big up yourselves those that were at the ground for the Lesta match. More of same on Wednesday evening please! From Kenya with love COYG!