LONDON – Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta dedicated his side’s 1-0 win at Leicester City to remain on top of the English Premier League to the people of Ukraine, one year on from Russia’s invasion.
Ukraine international Oleksandr Zinchenko replaced Martin Odegaard as the Gunners’ captain for the day and wore an armband in the colours of the Ukrainian flag.
“It was great because it was an initiative from the players,” said Arteta.
“Martin came to me yesterday and they wanted to have that gesture with him.
“Today, we wanted to win for him, for his loved ones, and for all the Ukrainian people that I think has inspired the world with that fighting spirit and with the togetherness they showed as a country.
“If we can add some happiness today to them and reflecting on who Alex (Zinchenko) is for us, it was a good opportunity, so I’m delighted to dedicate that win to them.”
A three-game winless run before a 4-2 victory at Aston Villa last weekend had dented Arsenal’s hopes of a first league title in 19 years.
Arteta’s men even briefly surrendered top spot to Manchester City, but are now two points clear of their title rivals with a game in hand.
“It was really important because it creates more belief in the players, around the club and externally,” added Arteta, on his side’s return to winning ways.
“But I had the belief the players could do it. It was coming back to some details and basics that get games away from us that we made much more. The last two games – especially today – we have done it much more.”
Former City youth product Nedum Onuoha believes the Gunners are “back in total control of the title race”.
The ex-England Under-21 defender said on the BBC: “A few questions were being asked of them, people were backing Man City. For them to come back against Villa was a huge boost.
“The celebrations showed what it meant – it steadied the ship. It feels like Arsenal are back in total control of the title race because if they win their game in hand (against Everton on Wednesday) it would be five points clear and that is a big advantage.”
Fellow BBC pundit and former Everton and Wales defender Ashley Williams added: “You’re always going to have setbacks, and I think they’ve shown a capacity to overcome adversity.
“Arteta is so driven and you can see that starting to come out now... They are showing they’ve got the credentials to get it done in the end.”
Arteta’s decision to start both Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard in the front three at the expense of Eddie Nketiah paid dividends.
Trossard had a brilliant first-half strike into the top corner ruled out by a video assistant referee review for a foul by Ben White on Leicester goalkeeper Danny Ward.
But Martinelli was not to be denied one minute into the second period when he coolly slotted home from Trossard’s pass.
Said Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers: “First half, defensively, we were too passive, which surprised me. Our idea, like it is most weeks, was to be really aggressive, but we were too passive, and that ended up us being passive when we had the ball...
“It’s why teams like ourselves are in the position we are in, it is that consistency.” AFP, REUTERS
