Mikel Arteta warned that Arsenal are capable of hitting even greater heights after the Premier League champions sent a statement to their title rivals by fighting back from a goal down to beat Chelsea on Sunday. Arteta’s side were under pressure after conceding for the first time this season when Morgan Rogers struck early at the Emirates Stadium, but the response to the setback was outstanding. Kai Havertz equalised before conjuring a brilliant dummy for a rejuvenated Martin Ødegaard to make it 2-1, ensuring that Arsenal moved level on points with Manchester City at the top of the Premier League.
But the team responded in a spectacular way – the conviction, the determination, the quality. It was a fascinating game. It depends on how we maintain and sustain that desire, that humbleness, and continue every day to try to find a better version of myself and the team.
We still have a lot to grow and a lot to offer. This is the ambition of the team.” Arsenal and City are the only sides who have won their first three games, a statistic Arteta took as evidence that the league will be even harder this time. We’ll go to Sunderland and it’ll again be so, so tough.
We know every week is going to be like this but that’s what we prepare for.” Arteta was delighted with an exceptional midfield display from Ødegaard. Arsenal’s captain looks fit after two years of injury problems and has started the campaign with three goals in four games. I don’t know how many times they played together in the last three years but probably not much.
He is enjoying his football. He was running forward, having shots, creating for his teammates.” Arteta, who hopes Cristhian Mosquera will make a swift recovery from a muscle problem, was similarly positive about Havertz after the German impressed against his old club. The Blues were exciting in attack but defensive shortcomings led to their first defeat under Xabi Alonso, whose new team have conceded seven in their first three league games.
We want to be tighter, to be more clinical, more balanced. We were not that far, but it went their way. We could have scored to make it 2-1 and you never know what happens.
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