Arsenal’s Christmas No 1: Arteta’s Belief and Confidence Grow

Details

Arsenal has reclaimed the top spot in the Premier League at Christmas, marking the third time in four years and the fifth time in the competition’s history that the Gunners have led the league at this stage. Mikel Arteta, the team’s manager, expressed his confidence and belief in the team’s title bid, citing the level of performance and consistency as key factors.
The 1-0 victory over Everton, courtesy of Viktor Gyokeres’ first-half penalty, ensured Arsenal’s return to the top spot, surpassing Manchester City who had earlier taken the lead. Arteta praised the team’s performance, stating, “It gives me belief and confidence: the level of performance and the consistency of that. It is very difficult to do in this league so it means the team is consistently there.”

Gyokeres’ Performance

Viktor Gyokeres scored his fifth Premier League goal of the season, but his performance was not without criticism. Jamie Redknapp, a Sky Sports analyst, expressed concerns about Gyokeres’ physicality, stating that he struggles to win duels and needs to gain confidence. However, Gyokeres’ goal was a positive step in the right direction, and he showed glimpses of his potential with three shots on goal, more than he managed in his previous 180 Premier League minutes for Arsenal.

Controversy Surrounds Penalty Decision

The game was not without controversy, as Everton had a valid claim for a penalty when William Saliba’s attempted clearance saw him kick Thierno Barry. However, VAR ruled that there was insufficient contact, and the decision was not overturned.

Arteta’s Reaction

Arteta was happy with the team’s performance and praised Gyokeres for taking ownership of the penalty decision. He stated, “Great decision. Very happy for him. They took ownership on the pitch between Martin, Bukayo, and him, and decided who was the taker, and he put the ball in the net.”

Source: Link