Mikel Arteta was impressed by the way his side brushed aside the challenge of Burnley as Arsenal kept up the pressure on league leaders Liverpool with a 5-0 win at Turf Moor.
Martin Odegaard gave the Gunners the perfect start with a fine strike on four minutes, Bukayo Saka hit a brace, the first a penalty, either side of the break before Leandro Trossard and Kai Havertz added a gloss with tidy finishes.
Since returning from January’s warm-weather training camp in Dubai, Arteta’s side have scored 21 goals and conceded only twice to secure five wins on the bounce. It’s a promising run of form as we head towards the final third of the season.
Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Arteta reflected: “We are really pleased because it is a difficult place to come and Burnley have been very competitive in the big games they have played so far this season.
“Today we managed to break them down early in the game and made it look a little more comfortable but they are a team which digs in so much.”
Arteta was particularly impressed by the hunger of his side to push for more goals with the game already won and the way they defended until the very end.
“Individually and collectively, the purpose they are playing with, the form the players are in, even at 3-0, 4-0 they want more,” he said.
“The way they track back at 96 minutes tells you how they are feeling. It’s about maintaining momentum now.
“We are generating competition within the squad. They are a joy to work with, the way they train every day and apply themselves, and how they want to improve. They want more – that’s the good thing.
He added: “At the moment all we can do is win our games and after our big two wins away from home we have a tough one in the Champions League at Porto.
“I hope we can do it [win the title] because we are there but it is about consistency and you see the standards of the other teams. We want it, that’s for sure.”
Marvellous
Chelsea have played City and us well so far this season. I have hope they can take points off them even at home as long as they avoid the bozo errors. \
Just as I type that, Jackson fluffs a 1 v 1.
Kyle Walker, once a gooner, always a gooner! I loved how he got himself sucked in towards the ball and then got hosed by a simple cut back from Sterling. It’s not like they know each other or anything. Well done, KW! The streets will remember you.
This team is peaking at the right moment. With the wounded on the mend, we will be difficult to stop…even at the Etihad.
Newcastle next (after Porto); three points of any shade would do.
Is it just me or am I right thinking the style of play & effort is a kind of Champions League winning formula? Or is that too much ?
Think we have more chance of champions league than title. City can lose a tie but will probably grind it out in the league. Would take champions league over title anyway given the choice. Though a double would be nice!
City have an issue with physicality in midfield. Rodri is no Declan Rice off the ball and they have nobody who can tackle or run people off the ball until play gets to the defenders, who in turn don’t offer much on the ball. So teams can afford to stand off when Ake/Akanji/Dias has it and then can run past most everyone else in transitions. Chelsea are exploiting that right now. Wolves, Tottenham are examples of other teams who can give them a problem there.
Could you imagine the league an CL double! That would be awesome. Commence day dreaming…………