Eddie Nketiah and the Arsenal supporters both got a pat on the back from Mikel Arteta as the Gunners continued their winning streak at home to open up a seven-point advantage at the top of the Premier League.
Goals from Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and the aforementioned Nketiah sealed a 3-1 win against West Ham who’d taken the lead through Said Benrahma’s first half penalty.
Here’s what Arteta had to say when he faced the BBC cameras…
On the win…
Very good [to be back] and obviously delighted with the result and the performance. We played a level that deserved to win the game.
On bouncing back after falling behind…
Yes, it was a very single action where they attacked an open space, we didn’t defend in open play well enough and then the referee made a decision to award the penalty. I think the team still showed a lot of composure, never panicked and kept doing what we had to do to dominate the game and to earn the right to win the game.
On the goal bringing momentum and energy…
We needed that. I think we scored in the perfect time. The crowd, it was incredible but [specifically] in the moment when we conceded the goal which is not easy. The way they reacted straight away after we conceded is strange to see and they kept that belief in the team. Obviously when we scored it got loud and we generated the momentum to win it.
On Eddie Nketiah replacing Gabriel Jesus…
Gabriel is around the team still and is having some impact even though he’s not on the pitch. He’s helping Eddie so much, when you see some of the movements, some of the stuff that he’s doing, credit to the boys because they are being so supportive. I’m delighted for him. He really deserved it today, the way he played that goal and he’s showing his quality. He showed it last season and every time we need him, he’s always there.
On how it’s been reintegrating the players post-World Cup…
To be fair, the boys have made it really easy for me. They all wanted to come back earlier than we expected them to, they were all eager to come back and be part of the team and I could see that right from the beginning. They didn’t make it so hard for me to be fair.
It’s great to hear that even though he’s absent, Jesus has been guiding the team in spirit. Just another one of his redemptive qualities.
Jesus is omnipresent.
Excellent performance all round but I’m especially happy for Nketiah. There’s been a lot of nonsense spoken about how our season is over unless we sign another striker etc, but obviously Arteta wouldn’t give him a long term contract and the 14 shirt if he didn’t trust him to deliver. Good to see that faith paid back so quickly with that all-round performance, long may it continue.
Nice to hear how eager everyone is to return to work. I guess they are as excited as we are about their potential, its also a sign of how much the squad enjoys being together.
It also means as on org it is a great place to work, atleast now 🙂
That west ham goal just felt like a minor annoyance. When’s the last time the mood has been like this 🥰
Yes! That’s exactly how I felt at the time, never had a doubt we’d come back and probably win the game. Such a great team we have.
I missed the arsenal and i just love the club, players and the fans COYG