Arsenal’s win over Manchester City sends a message, we must keep believing: Mikel Arteta
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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta celebrating after his team defeated Manchester City on Oct 8.
PHOTO: REUTERS
LONDON – Mikel Arteta believes Arsenal have broken a significant barrier in their bid to win the Premier League, after Gabriel Martinelli’s late goal sealed a cathartic 1-0 victory over Manchester City.
The Spaniard’s side had lost their previous 12 league meetings with City, before Martinelli’s 86th-minute strike deflected off Nathan Ake to spark wild celebrations at the Emirates Stadium.
The Brazilian forward told Sky Sports: “I am not the man. I think everyone has a part in this victory... It gives more confidence to us.
“We know our potential and how tough it is to play against them. We beat them and it gives us more confidence to kick on.”
For the first time since December 2015, the Gunners could savour a victory over City and they embraced the moment amid jubilant scenes on the pitch and among the 60,000 sell-out crowd.
Arsenal had already beaten City on penalties in the Community Shield
But this was a far more important result, coming not in a glorified friendly but in the red-hot atmosphere of a crucial clash between the champions and their closest rivals last season.
Brazilian Gabriel Jesus, who joined from City in 2022, told Sky Sports: “For sure, it is a big win. Everyone knows how hard it is to play against them. But it is not impossible to beat them.”
Arsenal held an eight-point lead at the top of the table in April, only to collapse in the final furlong as City lifted a third successive title en route to an incredible treble.
Rather than let the pain from that meltdown break them, Arteta and his men are using it as fuel to land the club’s first title in 20 years.
Arsenal tigerishly pushed City back late in the second half as they searched for a winner, with the champions appearing content with a point.
Arsenal’s hunger was rewarded and Arteta is convinced it could be a defining moment in their development.
“It’s a great feeling. You could sense it. It’s been so many years without beating them, but now we have beaten the best team in the world without a question of doubt,” he said.
“We have done it in a great way because there were moments we had to suffer. It sends a message to our team to keep believing in what they are doing.
“I don’t know if it was a barrier, but it was something we needed to go through.
“We lost in two different ways to them last season. But the team showed a real maturity today and that comes from experiences.”
Second-placed Arsenal head into the international break two points above third-placed City (18 points), with leaders Tottenham Hotspur ahead on goals scored.
The bitter memories of 15 league games without a win over City can be consigned to history, as Arsenal showed they can go toe to toe with Guardiola’s star-studded team.
They restricted City to only four shots and never let the visitors establish their trademark passing and movement.
“City are constantly asking you questions, they threaten you in certain areas. You have to be really aware. Emotionally, it is not easy to chase for 15 or 20 minutes,” he said.
“I thought the players were excellent, everyone was dancing in the dressing room afterwards!”
City have now lost two successive league games for the first time since December 2018, with three defeats in their last four matches in all competitions.
Arteta reserved special praise for match winner Martinelli, who has returned from injury in the absence of England forward Bukayo Saka, for making the difference.
“He (Martinelli) has been saying for a few weeks I’m going to be there against City, even though everyone said it would be too soon,” Arteta said.
“Leo (Leandro Trossard) said after 30 minutes that he felt something in his hamstring and he (Martinelli) was ready with his kit straight on, straight away saying ‘boss, I am ready’.
“He’s a joy to have around because he can change a game with that mentality that he has.”
Former Manchester United and England defender Gary Neville, who famously and consistently insisted City would win the title when Arsenal were leading the way last term, suggested things could be different this season.
He told Sky Sports: “I think they’ve got a big chance... The reason I predicted Arsenal to win the title is because I felt they got close last year.
“I thought they’d be close again and I thought there’d be a slight treble hangover for City.”
AFP, REUTERS
