Rob Holding claims Mikel Arteta has transformed Arsenal’s “mentality” and helped the players reconnect with the fans.
Holding has paid tribute to the supporters for backing them in the battle for a top four place as it looks like being a Champions League shoot-out in the North London derby on May 12. Arsenal looked to have blown it after three defeats on the bounce but have come back with three straight wins to put themselves back into fourth place.
Gunners defender Holding says much of the change in mood around the club is down to the manager and the players now believe they can finish the job. Holding said: “I think since Mikel has come in there has been a big change in mentality and connecting with the fans. I think the fans were amazing again at West Ham and they have been for the last couple of weeks, in terms of away games and at home.
"That’s why our results have been decent since the three that we lost. We bounced back and they stuck by us. It could have been an easy point to turn on us, but they stuck by us and we’ve had three good results now. Hopefully we can crack on for the next four games.”
Arsenal have got four games left against Leeds, Tottenham, Newcastle and Everton but they are in a fight with North London rivals Spurs for fourth. Tottenham applied the pressure last weekend by playing first and beating Leicester with Arsenal responding with a win at West Ham. This weekend, Tottenham go to Liverpool on Saturday while Arsenal entertain Leeds on Sunday.
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Holding added: “We have got to take it a game at a time. Obviously we have got Leeds at the weekend and that’s always an intense game. They come and bring energy.
"It will be a tough game, but we are at home with the fans behind us and we can try and chalk up another three points. Then the following week on the Thursday we have Tottenham, so that’s what it’ll come down to and it should be a good game.”
