Saturday’s match v Chelsea was, without doubt, Mikel Arteta’s biggest achievemet in his young managerial career.
There was so much on the line. The team was losing by the buckets full, and the pressure on the Spanish boss was growing immensely as well.
However, without a doubt, his squad showed-up, showed off and showed the Premier League that Arsenal is not dead just yet.
The losing streak is over, and the Gunners won a very big London derby.
This was the squad’s best performance of the season. That was pure energy, commitment, intensity, teamwork and spirit on full display, and in the end, the Gunners had a 3-1 win over Frank Lampard’s high-flying Chelsea side.
For me, it was great to see Gabriel Martinelli, Emile Smith Rowe and Pablo Mari in the starting XI. Plus, Kieren Tierney and Bukayo Saka were outstanding the entire match. This youthful enthusiasm will hopefully spread through the club and become contagious, especially for some of the club’s more senior players who seemed to have lost that side of their game.
And remember, they did this without Aubameyang, Partey or Gabriel.
And, what about that free kick from Granit Xhaka? BOOM!!!!
And also, the terrific penalty kick save by Bernd Leno in the late stages of the game? BAM!!!!
The team played their hearts out. They were pressed, forced errors, went after loose balls, won 50/50’s and headers, and offensively they were creative with the ball. These are all things Arsenal has been missing over the past weeks.
What a day, what a match, and what a win! This was the best Christmas gift of all! Thank you!
So, now the Gunners have a couple of days to prepare for Brighton and Hove, followed by West Brom Albion. Both games are more than winnable, and another 6 points on the board will definitely help our cause in the Premier League table.
I know it’s not the time to get overconfident, however, let’s take a few days to relish in the glow of this terrific win!
COYG!
Gunner1953