Mikel Arteta says he was pleased with the way Arsenal played for 43 minutes but made clear that his side still needs to stamp out the lapses in concentration that nearly allowed Norwich back into the game.
The Gunners surged to a two-goal advantage thanks to strikes by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Granit Xhaka but relied on Emi Martinez to preserve the lead. The Argentine made two smart saves either side of the break before Aubameyang killed the game off and Cedric Soares, on as a sub, added a gloss.
While the boss wasn’t shy noting areas that need improving, he did also admit that he can’t blame his players too much given the hectic schedule they face.
Here’s what he had to say to BT Sport…
On the performance…
I’m very happy. A lot of the things that we worked on and that we are trying to do actually happened in the game. The way we pressed, how aggressive we were, the way we played in the opponent’s half, the first 43 minutes were really good. After we had lapses [in concentration] and that’s something that we have to improve as a team; the way we ended the first half, giving the ball away in a dangerous area, and then the way we started the second half. Then we picked things up again, we made some changes. Overall, I’m really happy because I know that [playing] every three days is not easy, which is what they are doing.
On moving up the table…
I’m not worried about the table now, just about how we’re evolving. Playing better will take us closer to winning football matches and I think we are controlling the games much better, we are doing things that we are constantly talking about and hopefully, they can gain confidence, trust and day-by-day we can be a better team.
On Aubameyang’s goal record…
Credit to him, we were talking that he wasn’t scoring in the last few weeks. The type of player that he is, he’s always trying to be the best, to score goals to help the team. I’m really glad with him. Not only for the goals but his attitude, overall.
On there being positive vibes after Saka’s signing and Cedric’s goal…
We’re trying to make decisions, some are easy, some are more difficult, to benefit the players, the team and the club. I’m really glad with what happened with Bukayo this week because he totally deserved this new contract and for Cedric as well because the boy had a tough time since he joined that he played his first game and actually scored.
Only Norwich but definitely showing signs of improvement, amazing the confidence winning a few games makes.Onwards & upwards ?
We are improving. Many really got carried away after Brighton lose and though we are in a free fall. We didn’t play bad that game. We were unlucky.
I think people are getting carried away with the win today. The real test comes in the next 4 games.
Well in Bruce haha.
Loving Arteta and what he brings!
Like to see this attitude. Plenty of room for improvement and he calls it out.
Loving Mr.Arteta right now.
Loving the youngsters.
COYG
Fair play to cedric getting his faced smashed to bits a few weeks ago and then scoring on his debut this eve
A tale as old as time
Absolutely right. First half good but understandably (with extra FA cup game) we were going to struggle.
What Arteta brings is good tactical acumen. He switched to bring on Willock and have our centre more populated to meet Norwich move into a back 3. and it made impact.
Back 3 for us also working out better given personnel.
What we need to reinforce Arteta with is a decent Director of Football (Overmars or Luis Campos IMO).
Win the next four games and we have a chance for CL football.
(Looks at fixture list)
Oh shit, and I was just starting to enjoy football again.
I love that he didn’t say we had a good first half – just a good 43 minutes. Clearly he has a vision.
Arteta knows 😉
He could probably tell you the precise time in minutes and seconds an incident happened
oh now i know why arteta wanted to sign cedric on a permanent deal. is it too much to expect a thunderbolt from mari on his return too? i can see some resemblance to pep’s guardiola set up.. who usually likes to play with 2 CBs + 1 DM who will drop into a 3rd CB when his team doesnt have the ball. unfortunately we dont have that luxury DM so we’re playing 3 CBs. 1 DM would be better cos he can bring the ball out of defence better. anyway i goes some way to explaining our march… Read more »