Arsenal reclaimed their position at the pinnacle of the Premier League table with a convincing victory over Brighton on Saturday.
Bukayo Saka spoke with confidence after the match, emphasising that Arsenal has learned from their shortcomings of the previous season and is determined to avoid repeating them.
“Inside we’re all buzzing,” declared Saka, who opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 33rd minute. Arsenal went on to dominate the game, with goals from Kai Havertz and Leandro Trossard solidifying their lead.
Saka acknowledged the significance of the win, stating, “We know the win takes us back on top. We’re building momentum.” He continued, “Last season was not great, but it was great in terms of we learnt our lesson. Games like this we need to put to bed. This year we feel more comfortable. I feel the team is better.”
This newfound composure and belief in their capabilities were evident throughout the match. Saka highlighted the dedication and collective effort evident within the squad, “From the keeper to the striker, you saw Kai how hard he’s working. We know how we’re going to handle it. We go to win, that’s the mentality we must have.”
Arsenal’s current form is impressive, to say the least. They boast the most goals scored (75) and the fewest conceded (24) in the league. Their defensive solidity has been particularly remarkable, with five consecutive clean sheets away from home – a feat not achieved since 1997.
Manager Mikel Arteta expressed his satisfaction with the performance: “Really happy, a big performance. They haven’t lost here since August and that tells you the story. We were outstanding.” He further elaborated on the key factors contributing to their success, “We showed a lot of quality, with the ball we are really connected. Without the ball we were so disciplined.”
Arteta also acknowledged the importance of experience and the team’s growth, “We prepared because they did something similar to that against Liverpool. We are older. We went through a lot of moments together and the chemistry you build in the team is important. We signed some tremendous players as well. We’ve been through it and that helps.”
While Arsenal currently hold a one-point lead over Liverpool and Manchester City, the title race remains tight. Liverpool’s upcoming match against Manchester United today could see them reclaim the top spot. Nonetheless, Arsenal’s determination and their ability to learn from past mistakes bode well for their title aspirations.