There was no hiding Mikel Arteta’s pride following Arsenal’s 2-1 win over Sp*rs with the manager as enamoured with his players as he was with the atmosphere at Emirates Stadium.
After painful cup defeats to Newcastle and Manchester United, the Spaniard recognised his side’s season was teetering on a knife edge and called on supporters to bring the noise.
They didn’t disappoint, roaring the Gunners to a comeback victory that closed the gap on league leaders Liverpool to four points.
Gabriel Magalhaes’ header, via the chest of Dominic Solanke, cancelled out Son Heung-Min’s opener. And four minutes later, just before the break, Leandro Trossard finished a swift counter after Thomas Partey had won possession. The Belgian’s left-foot strike was one of Arsenal’s cleaner efforts on a night when they squandered plenty of opportunities to extend their advantage.
“I’m very proud of the team, I think we were sensational,” he said in his post-game press conference.
“I think it was a good test to see after two big performances and not getting rewarded in two different competitions.
“You have to play the biggest game of the season for our people in those conditions, and it’s a test of attitude. You know what we are made of, the courage that we have, how much we really care only about a result or the performance and how much we can do in terms of what is required in the game to be better than the opposition.
“I think we played from the minute one to hurt them with or without the ball. I think we fully deserve to win the game. I think we made a lot of people very happy, but especially very proud to see a team that behaves in the manner that they have played to it again.”
Reflecting on the crowd’s part in the win, he told Arsenal.com: “Today was one of the best [atmospheres] that I’ve seen. That’s what we have to do consistently, I said it in the press conference, that depends on us, nobody else.
“There are things that we cannot control – that one for sure we can control, so let’s make the most out of it.”
The tight turnarounds keep coming for Arsenal. While tired legs will spend this morning on the massage table at London Colney, attention quickly turns to Aston Villa’s visit to the Emirates on Saturday. As the side who did more than any other to knife the Gunners’ title challenge last year, it’s a chance to build momentum and take revenge.
“I think the momentum is now,” said Arteta. “We put in so much effort, the recovery, the way they have to bounce back immediately and play a game of this level. They have to enjoy it, they fully deserve it. Tomorrow [Thursday] we start with Villa and Saturday we’ll be ready again.”
With the FA Cup gone and an appearance in the Carabao Cup final looking unlikely following last week’s 2-0 defeat to Newcastle, Arsenal’s attention falls firmly on a domestic title challenge and an adventure in Europe.
There’s even the prospect of a little break on the horizon if they can avoid a Champions League play-off. Arteta is keen to take advantage of a spare weekend in February when rivals are playing the FA Cup fourth round.
I know it was only a win against a mid to low table side but hopefully it will turn us around. We’ve come so far, let’s hope for a trophy this season!
Congrats to all gooners. This one is always tasty. We still have a chance in the league and a good addition up front can make it happen. Indeed we should add three to make up for Saka.
There’s no “turnaround” needed. The performances have been there. The players are putting in monster shifts. The coaches are putting the team in a position to succeed. We have absolutely elite quality and physicality in defense and midfield. Just need more in the final 3rd. This project is 95% there.
Two really good forwards as signings for us this winter to take us to the 100, that’s when I’ll be real confident.💪💪💪
Watching a replay this morning and the thing that stands out to me is how hard we are. We’re not in a good moment. A run of ill fortune on the pitch. Terrible injuries off it. For some reason there’s a narrative against us that translates to unconscious bias in the way we’re officiated. A game every 3 days. We’re tired. And sloppy. Ødegaard should have had a brace last night. Havertz has gone full emo-teen levels of self esteem. Going 1 down to a flukey deflected goal after the Newcastle and United games, who could say it would be… Read more »
damn that got me on the verge of tears no joking
This comment needs to be syndicated, reposted on all the negative so-called fan sites.
The amount of negativity around Arsenal is mind blowing. Team is doing very well but there is so much hate from the media, the opposition fans, more social media trolls then you can smack around the head, even some areas within our own fan base. I just dont get it. 2nd in the toughest league in the world, a chance at Newcastle for a cup final (slim but we can do it!) and sitting pretty in the top section of the Champions League. How can this generate so much hate? People just want to see the team fail, OR are… Read more »
👊🏾👊🏾👊🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
Very well said. I know that the media and opposing fans will try to have you believe that every team has had as many (if not more) injuries than us – but physioroom confirms that we are top of the injury table this season with 27; Brighton are second with 22
Fucking YES
Very well said. Thank you. Hard to believe all the doomsaying bullshit that’s come out the last few weeks. We’re in a title race. We’re in the CL. This is all you can ask for as a fan. Let’s get behind this team with all we’ve got!
Excellent post, Fezec. 100% agree with every one of the many points that you made. 👏🏼
I love this post. I am so sick of the blamers and whiners. Tross, Havertz, Ode, Jesus, Zin etc. They are fighters, the team is. To be where we are, after all the injuries and ref crap. The way fans blame Tross when he or anyone could be hurt or injured… playing many positions as one of , and against , some of the best in the world! Remember this… these players, they do the hard work, they are the best of the best. The complainers are likely mostly average at best, just like most whiners.
THIS + Tim’s Column today – def just a FUCK YES. Even if this isn’t our year this team has the cohones & that is our fucking identity now.
That comment could be a pre match team talk alone. Made the hairs on my arms stand up.
I fucking love this club and I fucking love all of you
“Inconceivably” good post, @fezec!
If we can get some reinforcements and start having the stats go our way (this season reallz has been anomalous in the freak red cards and freak goals conceded), we may well see that results like the brighton draws could be what bring us over the finishing line, because we probably would have lost them in other years.
Thank you for such a wonderful thought out passionate piece. You reflect exactly what I think.
Who the F would downvote this? Trolls
I love you too Gooner Fezec
I love this comment, very inspirational and heartwarming.
Im with you all the way!!
brothers and sisters in arms, guns out
UTA
Well done to everyone last night for bringing the noise and keeping with the team when we went a goal down. It was tough with the away fans occupying the whole lower clock end in the last two games and hopefully the stark comparison against the atmosphere last night gets the club to seriously consider what options we have to put extended away allocations safely in the upper tier as the vast majority of other clubs do.
Couldn’t agree more, we’re far too welcoming.
Even worse is for European home games when the ‘UEFA Friends and Family Section’ in the Upper East stand inevitably just sees about 300 away fans sat amongst us. I’m shocked someone hasn’t been hurt, little fights break out literally every game.
I think Tim Stillman reported that the lower stand away fan occupation is due to local safety regulations, nothing to do with the club.
Possibly squeeze in two trips to Dubai.
Spare weekend in February?! As Sinatra would say: “Dubai Dubaidooo, Dubaidubaidooo, Dubai Dubaidooo..”
He believes. I believe. KSE – believe.
I don’t care if they believe, just that they open the checkbook
Don’t know about anybody else, but I always forget what an irritating shit Heung-Min Son is until the Spurs game comes round. I think some wider talk on a more regular basis about what an irritating shit he is would be best for everyone. No doubt, one of football’s most underrated wank stains.
Little innocent head on him
In another life, if i had my dream moment? …and i scored in a NLD against Spudz, i would run to their scum section and do the photo celebration that the Son- minghy fcuker uses.
Then id show my tactical nouse and “invert” four of my best (w)fingers towards them as i smile and gracefully thank the referee for my well earned yellow card 😇
Ahhh
Our team needs the crowd and although they delivered yesterday they need to go to the well again this Saturday in particular because Villa are dangerous.
Yeah, I don’t really buy that we’ve improved since the Newcastle and Man U games.
Sometimes (indeed most times) it comes off, but sometimes (a few too many times) it doesn’t.
And that might get you fourth, but it’s not going to win you the title in today’s Premier League.
We were good against Newcastle and United. I prefer to judge performances, not the scoreline. I think that brings me much closer to understanding the truth about my team. I think the team has final 3rd issues at the moment, but that happens to all teams and comes and goes. Not related to coaching or event talent, just part of the normal ebbs and flows of the season. It will rebound, as it always does. That is just what happens in football!
You now think we have “final third issues”? Last week before Newcastle you argued that Havertz was a goal machine and we didn’t need anything else up front. Doh.
IT was good what we did against Spur’s, nice win , but now that’s in the past, this is where the real test starts for Arsenal to go pass Liverpool and win the Premier League
There’s only two trophies left that Arsenal have a chance of winning, and that’s the Premier League and the Champions League so let’s watch them and see what they can do.