In a pivotal 1-0 victory against Manchester City, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was filled with pride and satisfaction.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Arteta opened up about the team’s growing confidence, crucial performances, and the tactical decisions that helped seal the win.
In a tightly contested 1-0 victory over Manchester City, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta expressed his pride and satisfaction at his team’s performance when speaking to Sky Sports.
Arteta was asked for his immediate reaction to the win. “So proud. We discussed it. It was the moment and it was with the right people, with the right players. And we had to make it happen. And there were going to be moments that we have to suffer and we knew that. And I think the team was excellent,” he replied.
Regarding the growing belief within the team as the game progressed, Arteta elaborated, “Yeah you are right I think the way we started we conceded on the corner and the first chance and nothing really happened.
“After we grabbed the game and some control, and we looked a threat in the second half, and we started really well. We could not convert that to goals, but we were there and we were really aggressive. And then the changes, I think, really helped us. The more we brought in the three lads, new energy, the quality they produced in the goal was top.”
Arteta also explained how both Arsenal and Man City created difficulties for each other during the game. “They give you a lot of problems. We gave them a lot of issues as well in the high press. And when you see the big teams putting pressure, it’s not easy to get out and you have to prepare a situation. You need the right timing, the right support, the right movement.”
Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya received particular praise from Arteta. “I think he was excellent. He can misplace one or two passes and I demand him to stop the ball when he needs to, to get clarity, to get understanding, to provoke the opponent. But then, overall, the way he controlled the ball, how dominant he was, how high he played. I think he was excellent.
“I love players with big courage and David has big ones.”
Another player who caught Arteta’s eye was Martinelli. “[He’s] Another one with big ones as well because nobody expected him to be in the team. The physios weren’t really having it and he said ‘I’m going to be there, I’m going to be there.’
“And yesterday he came up, he was in training and he said I’m ready to go and Leo got injured and we needed him and I looked and he was already stripped ready to go.
“He’s just a joy to work with.”
When asked whether the contentious decisions surrounding challenges by Manchester City’s Mateo Kovacic should have resulted in a sending off, Arteta remained diplomatic. “I don’t know, I’ve seen the action, but that’s done, and we managed to win the game, and we are all happy,” he said.