Arteta said his players adjusted in the second half and were really efficient against Man City
By Kehinde Okeowo
Arsenal boss, Mikel Arteta has said his team defeated Man City for the first in close to 8 years because they were more aggressive and convincing against Pep Guardiola’s side.
TheNiche has earlier reported that the Gunners beat the Premier League (PL) champions 1-0 on Sunday at the Emirates Stadium to go second behind North London rivals, Tottenham.
The largely disappointing game was settled four minutes from time just as both sides looked certain to have to settle for a point.
However, Gabriel Martinelli’s 86th-minute strike deflected in off Nathan Ake to earn Arsenal a first league win over Man City since December 2015.
Speaking on the win, Arteta explained that his players adjusted in the second half and were really efficient against the visitors during the encounter.
ALSO READ: Arsenal beat Man City 1-0, leapfrog PL champions into 2nd place
“When we lost at the Etihad, it was very important to go through that pain,” Arteta told NBC’s pitchside crew after the game. “To beat them in the Community Shield as well, you have to go through. It could be different [in the future] but at the moment it’s special.”
He added: “We struggled in the first 35 minutes to occupy the right spaces. At halftime, we adjusted, and we were efficient.
“You have to win the ball because, against that team, they can play you out and run you out of space. We had to be more aggressive and more convincing; take more initiative with the ball.”
Arsenal is now level with Tottenham Hotspur on 20 points, but Spurs have more goals and sit at the top of the Premier League table.
Arteta’s side next face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge after the international break, while Man City will welcome 6th placed Brighton.