Mikel Arteta is making a name for himself in the Premier League this season and so is his Arsenal squad. The Gunners boss has overseen a tremendous turnaround at the Emirates Stadium in the last 12 months, guiding the club from an inconsistent group to league leaders.
When he replaced Unai Emery in 2019, leaving Manchester City as Pep Guardiola's assistant, many doubted the Spaniard would return the north Londoners to their previous success under Arsene Wenger. Convincing his own fanbase that he was the right choice by Stan Kroenke was his first task and he has ticked it off.
Earning the respect from the other figures in football was next. Over time that has happened and he is arguably on course to win Manager of the Year. But recently, when the pressure has begun to intensify on his side, Arteta has demonstrated his tactical prowess.
Trusting Jorginho at Villa Park a fortnight ago worked wonders before deploying Leandro Trossard as a false nine in attack to ease the burden on Eddie Nketiah at Leicester the following week, again, earning a valuable three points.
Many have doubted Arteta as good enough to lead the Gunners to Premier League title success mainly due to his lack of experience compared to Guardiola and City. But when the cards are against him and his side, Arteta has found the best possible response.
Against Bournemouth, Arsenal found themselves 2-0 down after 57 minutes. Philip Billing's opener after nine seconds sent shockwaves around north London before Marcos Senesi headed home a second. Defeat against the Cherries would mean their five point lead at the top that stood before this weekend's games would be cut down to only two.
But this Arsenal side are no quitters. Goals from Thomas Partey, Ben White and Reiss Nelson meant Arsenal restored their five-point lead. Credit, of course, goes to the players on the pitch but Arteta's game management is vital to the Gunners' title hopes.
At half-time - with the score 1-0 - White replaced Takehiro Tomiyasu after the Japanese struggled against Antoine Semenyo. The right-back proved himself up to the task with the equaliser at the back post after a splendid assist from Nelson.
Arteta was forced into an early substitution when Trossard was forced off after 22 minutes. Emile Smith Rowe replaced him and the 22-year-old showed his class with his first assist of the season.
The forward was first to a loose ball to direct his header to the back post for Thomas Partey to score. Smith Rowe showed numerous signs of encouragement after being the unfortunate victim of injuries this season.
And in the most dramatic fashion, Nelson marked his return to domestic action for the first time since November with a 96th-minute winner with an astonishing strike from outside the penalty area.
In every Premier League season, there's always a moment that plays an enormous role in the title race. Sergio Aguero's winner vs QPR, Vincent Kompany's strike vs Leicester City and Ilkay Gundogan's double vs Aston Villa last season. This season, it could be Nelson's goal vs Bournemouth.
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