Arsenal lost the encounter 3-0 and the derby defeat ultimately cost Arteta and his men a Champions League spot, as they finished 5th behind Spurs
By Kehinde Okeowo
Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta has said he and his players learnt a lot of valuable lessons from their disastrous trip to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last season.
The Gunners prior to the game were on course to take the 4th spot in the Premier League but they capitulated and suffered a 3-0 defeat at the hands of their arch-rivals.
The defeat ultimately cost Arteta’s men a Champions League spot, as they eventually finished fifth behind Spurs.
However, eight months later, Arsenal go to Tottenham sitting pretty at the top of the Premier League and 11 points away from their host.
ALSO READ: Saka will be fit for north London derby, Arteta reiterates
Arteta, speaking at the press conference before the north London derby on Sunday, January 15, reflected on what he described as “a difficult day”.
He said: “It was a very difficult day, especially the way the game developed and what actually happened in the game, but obviously you learn a lot from difficult moments. We certainly did.
“Whether it is actually directly linked to a change of behaviour or the team performing better, there are many factors to that. But hopefully, we have learned some lessons from that day and we still have something for Sunday.”
Meanwhile, Mikel Arteta has once again assured Arsenal fans that England Striker, Bukayo Saka will be ready for the north London derby.
Saka was substituted during Arsenal’s FA Cup third-round game against Oxford United after picking up what looked like a slight knock as he came off the pitch for Emile Smith Rowe.
Reacting to a question about the striker’s fitness level during Friday’s press conference, Arteta reiterated that he thinks he will be fine for the game
