Arsenal gaffer, Mikel Arteta has attributed Arsenals’ brilliant home form to collective defending and cutting out individual errors
By Kehinde Okeowo
The Gunners defeated visiting West Ham United 2-0 at the emirate yesterday, to move into the Champions League positions for the first time in 14 months.
Before the match, Mikel Arteta made a bold decision, dropping the clubs’ captain, Piere-Emerick Aubameyang, and stripping him of the captaincy for disciplinary reasons.
The decision eventually paid off, as the team played one of their best games of this season, dominating a high flying West Ham United.
Before being dropped as the captain, Aubameyang has been poor, missing glaring goal scoring opportunities and scoring just four times in 16 Premier League games.
While the captain has been underwhelming, youngsters such as Emile Smith Rowe, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli have all stepped up their performances to help the team.
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Mikel Arteta spoke to the press after his team defeated West Ham at the Emirates and moved to the 4th position on the Premier League table.
The gaffer evaded questions on why he dropped his captain, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, rather, he went on to describe how he felt about the game and the performance of the team.
He said: “The players play for the club and the players play with fight and the energy that we all expect from them. I was really happy from the beginning. How they see it, how focused they were, the energy they put in the performance because we knew we had to play really well today to beat West Ham and I think we’ve done it.”
He said the clean sheets are a result of all departments helping out in defensive duties and cutting out individual errors that have cost them in the past.
“Yes, but as I said before I think it’s a collective matter. When you have the front players doing the work like right now it facilitates everything. We have indeed made a lot of progress in understanding, in preventing situations and we have cut down a lot of individual errors which in the past cost us a lot of points. So I think we’re in the right direction there..” he added
He praised the chemistry between three young players, Bukayo, Gabi, and Emile; he was also pleased with how the more experienced players came to the party.
“I think they were good, all of them and the senior players led by example. We had some really strong performances, which is needed to beat this team and I’m really pleased. We shared the goals. It’s important for Gabi to score a goal like he did today. Everybody, in general, I’m really pleased.
“I think it helps because they know each other as well, some of them from the academy. The chemistry is there. I really like the link and the way the senior players are contributing and really enjoying helping those boys to raise in a context that at times has been difficult, but they’ve been really consistent.” Arteta said.
He also avoided questions on whether Aubameyang will be part of the next game against Leeds United, but agreed Martinelli had one of his best performances in an Arsenal shirt, adding that he must play with much maturity to avoid cramps.
“Certainly, it was one of the best in every aspect of the game. Physically he’s growing, today he was cramping again, and he needs to mature on that side of the game. But his overall understanding of the game is much better. He’s able to put some gears into his play sometimes instead of doing everything 100 miles per hour. But the energy and the quality he shows up front is top”
The 39-year-old praised Lacazette’s contributions to the team, and said he was the stand-in captain because he was next in line to Aubameyang, he went on to say he has always had leadership qualities and described him as the life wire of the team in the dressing room.
He said: “Well he’s the next in line and he’s taken it the way everybody saw today with such pride and commitment. I’m really happy again with the way he played.
“Absolutely. But Laca has always been like that in the dressing room. You see how he is with the other players and how willing he is to help. It’s in his nature. He’s not a selfish player. He’s a player that’s happy when he makes the rest better. He’s like this in the dressing room as well.”
Asked to speak on penalty and the red card awarded against West Ham, he said, “I haven’t seen it so I can’t judge it.”
He said the team is now playing well since they lost the first three games of the season, he added that their fans are now pleased with the team and supporting them.
“Well obviously, there are really positive signs. Not only that but the way the team is playing. We made some progress but there’s still a lot to do and we have to be aware of that. We had some bumps in the road but I think we have learnt a lot from them. First, of all, because we have stuck together, all the team, all the staff.
“Then the biggest compliment that I can feel and the players are feeling exactly the same way, is the way that we have our crowd behind us. It’s been a while but to see that chemistry between the team crowd is unique. I’m so proud of that.” Mikel Arteta revealed.
The Sparniard insisted the team will not rest on its laurels after getting into the top four, as the league is a long fight and suggested they need to ensure their away results is in tandem with their performances
“This league is going to finish in May. It’s better than where we were, but we want to be higher. We need to find consistency. We know the level of this league. This league is ruthless and what it’s done today, tomorrow is different so let’s prepare for the next game.
“For example, when we went to Old Trafford and played better than last year but we lost the game. That’s why we have to come away from those grounds when we get the performance with the results. That’s the next challenge.” he concluded.
