Arsenal are flying high at the top of the Premier League and their success this season owes a lot to the team spirit that has been fostered by Mikel Arteta.
The Gunners are five points clear of Manchester City after making the most of their game in hand on Wednesday night. They thrashed struggling Everton 4-0 at the Emirates Stadium to underline their credentials as title contenders.
Two goals from Gabriel Martinelli and one each from Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard sealed the comfortable win – their third in succession in the league. Arsenal have not won the Premier League since the famous Invincibles side went unbeaten in the 2003/04 season, but they are currently on course for an historic achievement.
Arsenal’s form this season has been built on the back of impressive recruitment in the transfer market and an equally impressive team spirit. Both factors were in evidence on Wednesday night in the celebrations following one of the goals.
The third goal of the night came courtesy of captain Odegaard, who side-footed in Leandro Trossard ’s cut-back via a deflection after a neat move down the left flank. While the cameras were on Odegaard, who performed a little dance for the fans, Saka raced to the scene to congratulate Trossard.
The Belgian forward only joined the Gunners in January, on a £27million move from Brighton, after Mykhaylo Mudryk snubbed them to join Chelsea instead. But the 28-year-old has already proven himself to be an astute signing, with Arteta trusting him to start the past two games up front, ahead of Eddie Nketiah.
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His assist for Odegaard was his second in as many games, after he set up Martinelli’s winner against Leicester. Saka was quick to pay tribute to his new team-mate, with Arsenal fans on Reddit spotting what he said before giving him a hug: “Top!”
Trossard now has one goal and two assists in nine games across all competitions for Arsenal, who have eased him into action. Arteta is yet to play him for the full 90 minutes, but his arrival has given the squad much more depth, which will be crucial for the final months of the season.
Arteta has been delighted with his new signing, who joined alongside Jorginho and Jakub Kiwior in January. “He’s had an impact every time he’s been on the pitch,” he said last month when asked to assess Trossard’s start at the club.
After the win at Leicester last weekend, he added: “He's so good in small spaces, tight spaces, with his creativity to open people up and I'm really happy with him.” Saka clearly agrees, with the Belgium international helping to make up for the absence of Gabriel Jesus, who has not played since picking up a serious injury at the World Cup with Brazil.
The £45m summer signing is edging towards a return from his knee injury. It is thought he could be back in the squad before the upcoming international break.
