Mikel Arteta thanked the Arsenal supporters for getting behind his players as the Spaniard tasted victory for the first time as a head coach with a 2-0 victory against Manchester United.
Nicolas Pepe and Sokratis, both restored to the starting lineup, scored the goals in an impressive first half but it was the manner in which the Gunners dug in for a clean sheet despite tiring legs that really impressed the boss.
Here’s what he had to say to BT Sport after the game.
On the performance…
Yes, it was better, much better the first half than the second. Everything we tried to do and planned to do against them worked really well. I think we had enough chances to put the game to bed much earlier. In the second half, we knew that physically we were going to drop. At the moment we are not ready to maintain that level of intensity through 90 minutes but in this period, the commitment and the desire the boys are showing at the moment is terrific.
On reconnecting with the fans…
Right from the start, I could feel it. When I went out there straight away I could feel a different atmosphere. Thank you so much to them because we really need them. These players are going to play so much better when they feel the support behind them, the energy. We have to entertain them here and hopefully we’ve given them something to be proud of today.
On helping the tam improve…
This is my job, it’s why they brought me here, that’s what I’m trying to do. I try to help them as much as possible, to give them clear information, give them the right structure to feel comfortable so that they can make more good decisions on the pitch. They have to believe and they have to follow me and I’m so happy they’re doing that at the moment.
On the importance of a first win as head coach…
The performances were getting better and better but we didn’t win the first two games. I was desperate for that. I was so pleased.
The charm and class is back. We used to Love Wenger’s press conferences, I love Arteta’s now, he speaks with same maturity and intelligence.. long this may continue.
A worthy successor to Wenger I believe. Will have learned so much from Arsene and Pep. Ladies and gentlemen I think we have our guy.
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Calm down. First win. But yes, I like him too. He has that tough, “don’t fuck with me” aura about him I think. Born out of his Glasgow Rangers days.
With a full pre season and 2 windows, Arteta will have us going toe to toe with anything out there. 2 weeks with him in charge has me fully believing in him. I’m not saying we’ll win the league next year, but we won’t be push overs, and nobody will want to play us.
His first interview made me smile inside, and what is happening on the pitch has me super excited.
Man, Poch encountered Arteta at PSG, when Mikel, had just left Spain at 18 yrs of age. He wanted him as an assistant based on him – then. Pep wanted him after he’d given him some tactical advice in regard to an upcoming CL semi-final with Chelsea… Obviously, Arteta’s benefitted from working with Wenger and Pep. Along with Walter Smith and David Moyes but ultimately, he’s his own man. This narrative that the media keep spinning is lazy and in truth, bollocks.
Wenger did say that Arsenal should hire someone who is like him but better. And I think we have found that – young, talented, hungry and more importantly gets and LOVES Arsenal and gets Football.
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Hey guys, german gunner here. Did I get that right, Arteta basically confirmed during post press conference Xhaka stays? Seemed he was asked by a reporter and answered Xhaka himself told him he will stay. If so I think it’s a good thing as Arteta believes in him and seems to get the best out of him.
I am sure that this is just the beginning. Excited to see what the future holds for us. Also, very curious to see what are Mikel’s plan for this transfer window!
Buzzing with the win though!
Man it’s so hard not to temper expectations
To temper* (dammit)
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I have tears in my eyes. No, literally. I want this guy to succeed so bad!
I want every Arsenal manager/coach to succeed; Emery included (just happened to be a mismatched marriage). More so Arteta being one of our own.
There was a point midway through the first half when Fred had the ball at the half way line, Auba and Laca(our forwards) were the first to hound him and recover the ball. Arteta has totally changed the mentality of these players. Amazing performance and result!
And Luis applauding their effort. Everyone is working for eachother and there is togetherness and willingness to play for the team that has been lacking for so long.
Özil has got the most ball recoveries (10). Fighter!
Did you see Ozil’s tackle? He made a fucking tackle. I could hear angels singing at that moment, with harps in the background. Brilliant stuff. You can really taste the difference between going through the motions and committed football.
Bit like when John Jensen scored his first, and only, goal for the club, I want a tee-shirt that says “I was there when Ozil made a tackle” ?
Great result and a good performance. I am glad we didn’t park the bus after the first goal and kept going for the 2nd. Hopefully this win will give them some needed confidence to keep going and winning more games. This was also the worst United performance I have seen against us in 20 years. They were awful in the first half. If i was a Man Utd fan, I would be pissed at that kind if display. Big shout out to Kolasinac for his performance when he was not 100%.
The charm and class is back. We used to Love Wenger’s press conferences, I love Arteta’s now, he speaks with same maturity and intelligence.. long this may continue.
We had shape. Numbers around the ball. Doubling up.
Love the fact we are playing with such collective intensity which is all I’ve wanted for some time now (knowing the results will come with that type of effort), but why the heck it take this long and for a 3rd coach to be leading the squad for them to play like that?
The message here is
SUPPORT, SUPPORT, SUPPORT !
Right now its not the time to get involved in the politics of the club leave that for another time.
All we can do now is get UNITED lol and support those playees out there, that support will make them love us again which will mean they will give their all , show love get love !
We are supporters so support, thats what we are supposed to do , isn’t it ???