After stoppage-time goals from Declan Rice and Gabriel Jesus secured a 3-1 win against Manchester United, Mikel Arteta declared himself very satisfied with Arsenal’s performances as the squad now disperses for the first Interlull of the season.
The Gunners have taken 10 points from a possible 12 so far and sit level with the likes of Sp*rs, Liverpool and West Ham while reigning champions Manchester City make the early running.
“I’m very happy, I think we played four games, we deserved to win four games,” he told his post-game press conference.
“It could have been very different but the margins that we are arriving at in the later stages of the game doesn’t reflect what the team has done before.
“I think there are things that are still in our control that we can do better and the team will try to progress and evolve in that direction to close games earlier and win them easier.”
Despite eluding to the fine margins, the boss was also quick to point out that the season is a marathon not a sprint. He knows that all too well having topped the table for so long last season.
“For every team it’s like, game one, and if you don’t win the first one, the second one, and it’s still 34 games to go, so just focus on the game and play with more naturality, and the result will come.
“If you deserve it at the end, after 38 games you will be where you deserve, and I think we can only focus on that because it’s still very, very early.”
Following some supporter mumbling after last weekend’s draw with Fulham and frustration that the team wasn’t further strengthened on Transfer Deadline Day, the boss also feels the nature of today’s win over the Red Devils will help win the crowd over once again.
“I feel great,” he added. “I think we all worked so hard and planned everything to live moments like this and those moments are going to stick with us.
“To see the crowd so connected with the team again and celebrate in a big match like today with the history of these clashes, I think it’s something great. So, very happy.”
Arsenal resume their Premier League campaign in two weeks’ time with a trip to Everton. In the meantime, supporters can bask in a very satisfying victory against an old rival.
great win, Raya to start next game for me <3
Nah
Why?!?!
I’d be really curious why you think that’d be a justified decision?
I can see why. You saw Onana out there spraying it around like a spare central midfielder. Ramsdale’s distribution is good, but not on that level. Raya gives us another dimension building attacks. That’s why the club got him. Rambo needs to come up to that level or he will be surpassed, same as he did to Leno (who was also a perfeectly fine GK until the game moved past him). It’s a ruthless game at the top.
You should be the first website to have a middle but signifying “fair” button as this comment is neither good or bad but hypothetical.
Onana was left to do his bullshit for the most part, but at the end of the day he shipped 3 goals 🤷♂️ They passed at the back but we’re ineffectual in actually using that to build play. That’s something we have been able to do and Ramsdale has been a key part of that. I’m sure Raya will be great when used, but Ramsdale has done nothing to be dropped.
I mean, it’s hard to blame the keeper for any of those goals. Which one should he have kept out? If he throws one in his own net or whatever then fine, but judging the keeper for goals his team gave up is not fair. Also it’s not his fault they didn’t make better use of the ball further forward. His presence meant Arsenal couldn’t cause high turnovers against them, like we did so often when they had DeGea. I love laughing at United as much as the next guy but I’m not going to lie, he impacted that game… Read more »
I think we will see Raya soon with our first UCL game
I doubt that. But I think we’ll see him against Brentford in the League Cup, unless they act like pricks and say we can’t use him.
i think he’s looked partially at fault for several goals in the last couple games. nothing personal against the player, i just think ramsdale/pope/pickford are about the same level and it isn’t elite.
Nice going into the international break with a win, United fans will have to stew over that for a whole two weeks before they see their boys playing again. You love to see it 😀
Stupid Sky Sports show us as
P4 W2 D2
Idiots
They probably had it locked out knowing Anthony Taylor was paid for the draw.
Have to mention how classy Jesus goal. Was top quality and a goal very few could score. We are lucky to have him. You can see how he links with everyaround him.
Hopefully it has built his confidence.
Hate to disagree but hard to think of a draw vs 10 man Fulham at home as a game we deserved to win. Yeah, over the top about today but still mumbling about that one
Why the downvotes? 2-1 up at home against 10-man Fulham and Arteta goes all defensive with his subs. Especially having had the team sit back on one-goal leads in the 2 previous games? What kind of mentality does that show? Sorry, but we didn’t “deserve to win” against Fulham. You can love the club and Mikel without necessarily agreeing with everything he says. The 2 points dropped against Fulham are clearly on Mikel.
Great to get a solid win over a rival for the top 4 before the break, but we really should be tied with City on 12 pts especially given the relatively easy schedule we’ve had to start the season with three home matches and only one against a top nine team from last year. We did create more chances and certainly had more time in their box than they did ours (plus a huge advantage in corners), but we need to do better defending their counter attacks which did us in last year at United and also in the preseason… Read more »
If anyone wants a real laugh you HAVE to watch Mark Goldbridge today on YouTube…..
His reactions are priceless especially when he thinks they have won the game…..so his meltdown is only better when it happens……
First thing I looked for after the game! lol
Who?
so so happy
Can Miki take a leaf out of Sir Fergies book of ‘injuries’ to a certain welsh player every time international weeks came around when it comes to Saka, he needs a rest..
Probably, based on the stats, possession, shots etc, I don’t disagree. But doesn’t mean we have been good. Actually we have been very very average so far.