Mikel Arteta’s press conference expressed praise and challenges for returnee Gabriel Jesus…
Arteta’s side played an absolutely masterful performance against Fulham away from home today. After a disallowed goal in the 16th minute, Arsenal finally answered with a Gabriel header from a corner.
The Gunners made it two with a header from Martinelli about 6 yards out, and Odegaard scored before the end of the 1st half to make it 3-0. All 3 goals were supplied by winter signee Leandro Trossard.
Arsenal held on to their clean sheet, and no goals were scored in the second half. The win helped Arsenal keep their 5-point lead against title challengers Manchester City.
Arteta’s press conference highlights today:
On the win and the importance of today’s victory vs Fulham:
“Really happy, it’s a really tough place to come against a well-organised team. I think we dominated the game, we created so many chances, we kept a clean sheet – which was really important. And we won the game in a convincing way so I’m very happy.
To me, it does push me to the limit. In the Premier League, 1-0 or 2-0 is not enough, with 3-0 the game changes. There is still a lot to play for in the second half and we dropped the level a little bit in the first few minutes. I think the boys had an outstanding performance against a really tough opponent. Today it’s a day to praise them.”
READ MORE: Arsenal player ratings after the 3-0 victory against Fulham.
Arsenal’s masterful performance led to a +3 goal difference increase on the table. The other Arsenal PL matches that led to a +3 goal difference:
(Bournemouth 0-3, Brentford 0-3, Nottingham Forest 5-0, Everton 4-0).
On Leandro Trossard’s Man of the Match Performance:
“When we talk about composure and finding the right pass, and looking to the right player in the box, it’s very blurry and some other players make rash decisions, and he created three goals. He could have scored two – I think he was really impressive. Not only that, he had an jury only a few days ago and that injury could have taken a week or 10 days. He was really willing to come back early, the physios and doctors did really well to do that. That changes things in the team, and we needed him today, his contribution was superb.”
Leandro Trossard’s three assists are the second player to have a hat-trick of assists; Roberto Firmino had 3 assists in Liverpool’s 9-0 win against Bournemouth vs August. The last Arsenal player to have 3 assists in a match is Cesc Fabregas in 2009. Leandro Trossard made Premier League history today, becoming the first player to have 3 assists in a half in an away game (via dailymail)
On Gabriel Jesus’ return, starting XI chance, and full-time talk:
“[It’s a] big boost! His first steps today and we didn’t know whether it was the right game for him today. A few days ago, he told me he was missing something and then yesterday he looked me in the eyes and told me he was ready. Then today we had the opportunity to throw him in because it’s that first step to give him the boost. He looked free and generated two big chances straightaway, and it’s great to have him back.
Now he needs to earn his place like anyone else in the team. We have alternatives that can play in different positions and we have different roles to fill in relation to the chemistry of the players and what we ask them to do. It’s a great problem to have, believe me.
I was so happy, he put a lot in the last few months and all the staff spent so many hours together to try to fulfil all his needs. He wanted more, and more, and more and he was very willing to get back. Just to see him there with a smile on his face was just a joy and I was really happy for him and the team was really happy for him.”
Gabriel Jesus was an integral part of Arsenal’s amazing start to the season. The Brazilian striker suffered an unlucky injury to sideline him until today. Jesus had a shot on target but was comfortably saved. According to Arteta, Jesus will compete for a spot in the Starting XI, but if he plays just like he did before the injury, there is no reason to hold Jesus out.
NEXT ARTICLE: Arsenal advance their interest in Leverkusen star.
