Mikel Arteta insists Arsenal’s euphoric win over Tottenham will fire his title-chasers with belief after a gutsy win in the North London Derby.
Gabriel Magalhaes headed home the winner to secure victory for the Gunners to maintain their unbeaten start to the season.
Arsenal were without key midfielders Martin Odegaard, who is suffering with an ankle injury, and Declan Rice, who missed the game through suspension.
And the fact the Gunners were able to grab three points without key personnel bodes well for his side’s attempts to dethrone Manchester City.
‘It does (give us belief) because we won three years in a row here,’ said Arteta.
Mikel Arteta insists Arsenal ‘s euphoric win over Tottenham will fire his title-chasers with belief after a gutsy win in the North London Derby
Gabriel Magalhaes headed home the winner to secure victory for the Gunners to maintain their unbeaten start to the season
Arteta and the coaching staff were seen celebrating together after the goal went in
‘I don’t know when the last time that happened in the history of the club was. I think they believe already. We’ve won a lot of big games.
‘It’s a big week coming up and that’s going to give us a lot of motivation, energy and belief.
‘The people that we have, we have people that are hard and have thick skin. They love the game and we love winning.
‘In order to love the game and win you have to do things that people call ugly.
‘Enjoying those ugly things is a big compliment to this team right now. When you’re able to do that normally you get a good gift.
‘The players adapted. Loving the game means that you’re able to do things regardless of the context.
‘All of them, that’s the spirit and the characters that we have that I love.’
On his disrupted preparations for the game, Arteta added: ‘I didn’t enjoy it because I didn’t sleep much. I looked ahead to Spurs for four or five days and I had a super clear plan how to do it.
‘I prepared all the meetings, the training sessions and everything. Then I get the news that we’ve lost a player, and then another player and then another player, and I had to completely change it and adapt the plan to the players that we had available. So, it was a great challenge.’
Bukayo Saka limped off during the closing stages, which ahead of the club’s return to Champions League action against Atalanta on Thursday, provides Arteta with headache.
Arsenal were without key midfielders Martin Odegaard , who is suffering with an ankle injury, and Declan Rice , who missed the game through suspension
The fact Arteta’s side were able to grab three points without key personnel bodes well for his side’s attempts to dethrone Manchester CityÂ
But, Bukayo Saka limped off during the closing stages, which ahead of the club’s return to Champions League action against Atalanta on Thursday
Arteta is waiting for news on the extent of the injury, particularly with his team visiting the Etihad Stadium next Sunday.
Asked whether Odegaard would be available, Arteta added: ‘Martin, we still have to wait and see. The news is that he wasn’t available today.’