Mikel Arteta hails ‘special day’ and praises Arsenal fans following a tough start to the campaign

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was left delighted after his side beat Tottenham 3-1 in the north London derby at the Emirates on Sunday. 

The Gunners started off on the front foot and they were rewarded in the 12th minute when Emile Smith Rowe met Bukayo Saka’s cross with a low shot past Hugo Lloris.

That was followed up by goals from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Saka as Arteta’s side went into the interval 3-0 up following a breathtaking first-half performance. 

Emile Smith Row put in a Man of The Match performance with a goal and an assist 

Son Huneg-min pulled one back for the visitors in the second half but it was the Gunners who took all three points. 

Arteta was left delighted with his side’s performance and he thanked the home supporters – who were loud from the first minute. 

Speaking to Sky Sports after the game, the Arsenal boss said: ‘No this win is for them (fans), they’ve been incredible in tough moments when we needed their support, and it doesn’t get much better than the atmosphere we saw today.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang doubled the Gunners’ lead just before the half an hour mark 

‘We started really strong, really convinced, determined. It’s probably one of the best games I’ve seen us play for that first half. In the second half we had to do what we had to do. So pleased to win the game.

‘I liked the determination, conviction, and the connection with our people on such a special day. This is all about football, the energy you feel when you are here and the crowd is with you.

‘Tough to leave some players out because they all deserve to be with us, but the ones that came in they were fantastic. We Just need to keep everybody alive, keep them fit because we’re going to need everybody.’

Bukayo Saka put the Gunners 3-0 up at half-time following a breathtaking 45 minutes 

Arteta was full of praise for Arsenal’s senior players for stepping up in what was a relatively young Gunners side. He also admitted he wanted his side to keep a clean-sheet and is looking for more consistency from his team. 

‘It was probably the exact mix that we need. The senior payers stepped in, they dominated the game, the leadership of Granit (Xhaka), Thomas (Partey), and then the youth, full of enthusiasm, vibe and good energy.  

‘I wanted 3-0 but they made the game in the last minutes very interesting.

Arteta was left delighted with his team’s performance and he praised the Arsenal supporters 

‘It’s not about winning but the way we’ve done it, against a top team with top players. In the most special day of the season when we play our rivals.

‘Today is one example of what we’re trying to do. Now we have to be consistent, do it every game and do it better.’ 

Arsenal now sit in 10th after three wins on the bounce. It’s a complete turnaround from their opening three, in which they picked up zero points – scoring none in the process.

Arteta’s men will take-on Brighton next Saturday before heading off to the international break.  

Arsenal have now won three games on the bounce following their horrible start to the season