It’s been a tough few weeks for Mikel Arteta and his Arsenal side. After being firmly in the driving seat for a top-four finish this season, three losses on the bounce on their return from the international break has dented their chances.
However, if there was ever a way for them to gain momentum back, then Wednesday’s victory over London rivals Chelsea was certainly the way to do it. In a frantic first half, both sides traded goals back and forth as Eddie Nketiah and Emile Smith Rowe ’s strikes were cancelled out by Timo Werner and Cesar Azpilicueta.
The second half swung much more in the Gunners’ favour though as Nketiah grabbed a second of the night, before Bukayo Saka calmly stepped up to convert a penalty and secure all three points. It led to Arteta claiming he was proud of his side in his post-match press conference : “I said to them if you want to be playing Champions League football you have to come to these big stages and beat the top teams.
