Mikel Arteta has lauded his Arsenal squad following a week he described as "immensely difficult," praising their resilience and performance across multiple high-stakes matches. His comments come after a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, a result that extends Arsenal's unbeaten run to 17 matches and keeps them at the top of the Premier League.
The week presented a formidable challenge for the Gunners, featuring a dominant 4-1 victory over Tottenham in the North London Derby and a convincing 3-1 win against Bayern Munich in the Champions League. Speaking after the Chelsea game, Arteta acknowledged the physical and emotional toll of these encounters. "That was a big week and a really intense and emotional match today," he said. "You could sense from the beginning how much was at stake, two teams putting everything into every action".
The Chelsea match itself was atestament to the Premier League's intensity, with both teams battling fiercely. The game saw a red card for Chelsea's Moises Caicedo, further complicating the dynamics. Arteta noted the interruptions and interventions from the referee, which he felt changed the context of the game. Despite going behind after halftime, Arsenal demonstrated their fighting spirit, equalizing and creating further chances. However, Arteta felt they lacked the composure and quality needed to secure all three points.
Arsenal had to contend with a fresh defensive pairing due to William Saliba's absence. Arteta addressed Saliba's situation, stating that the defender would undergo further assessment to determine the extent of his injury. Despite missing key players, Arteta expressed confidence in his squad's ability to succeed. "To be fair it's been tested since pre-season because we lost six, seven players constantly out of the squad,” Arteta said. “I have no doubt we can succeed with the players we have".
Arteta also responded to recent comments from Bayern Munich's Joshua Kimmich, who suggested that Arsenal rely heavily on set pieces. Arteta calmly acknowledged Kimmich's view, emphasizing the tactical nuances that shape each match. He pointed out that the style and structure of a game depend heavily on the dynamics created by both teams. Arteta has previously defended his team against accusations of being one-dimensional, highlighting their adaptability and multiple avenues for scoring.
Looking ahead, Arsenal face a busy schedule, including a Champions League match against Bayern Munich. Arteta acknowledged the challenges of playing every few days and managing player fitness. However, he also embraced the opportunity to compete on multiple fronts. "We played every two and a half days. We lost players. But it's the schedule and now we're going to have to play Wednesday," Arteta stated. "That's the beauty of it as well. Not many teams get to play the games we have played".
Despite the draw against Chelsea, Arteta remained positive, emphasizing the team's overall progress and resilience. He acknowledged the need for improvement but praised his players' efforts during a demanding week. With Arsenal leading the Premier League and competing strongly in the Champions League, Arteta's leadership and the team's collective spirit will be crucial as they navigate the challenges ahead.
