After Arsenal's impressive 3-1 victory over Liverpool last Sunday, the team's enthusiastic post-match celebrations sparked a debate about the maturity of the players. Sky Sports pundits Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher criticized Arsenal's exuberance, describing it as a display of immaturity. However, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has firmly rejected the notion that these celebrations reflect an immaturity that could hinder their chances of winning the Premier League title.
Arteta, who won the Premier League twice as an assistant coach at Manchester City, spoke at a news conference on Friday about his experience and perspective on the matter. He explained that based on his personal experience, there is no correlation between celebrating one victory and the ability to sustain a title challenge.
Drawing upon his past successes, Arteta emphasized that he has seen how teams celebrate in the midst of a title race and it hasn't affected their performance negatively. In fact, he expressed his love for passionate celebrations on the pitch, recounting moments when even opposing managers couldn't contain their emotions. Arteta believes that genuine and unique celebrations bring passion and emotion to the game, enhancing the overall experience for players and fans alike.
While recognizing that opinions on this matter may differ, Arteta pointed out that throughout the Premier League season, many teams and managers celebrate victories passionately, even early on. He highlighted that the league is incredibly tough, making every win a hard-fought achievement. Therefore, it's natural for players, coaches, and fans to revel in these moments, regardless of when they occur in the season.
Looking back at the Liverpool match, Arteta acknowledged the significance of the victory for Arsenal. The atmosphere in the stadium was electric, and the team's determination and enthusiasm were evident right from the start. It was a great day for the club, and Arteta appreciated the passion displayed by everyone involved.
Looking ahead, Arsenal is preparing to face West Ham on Sunday. There is positive news regarding Bukayo Saka, who was forced off the pitch in the latter stages of the Liverpool game due to a foot problem. The young talent is expected to be available for the upcoming match. On the injury front, Gabriel Jesus, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Takehiro Tomiyasu, and Thomas Partey are being assessed by the medical staff.
In conclusion, Arteta firmly believes that celebrating victories is a natural part of the game, irrespective of the stage in the season. His experience and observations have shown that passionate celebrations do not have a detrimental effect on a team's performance in a title race. As Arsenal continues their campaign, they embrace the joy of victory while keeping their focus on the challenges that lie ahead.
