Returning to his former stomping ground at Goodison Park as a manager, Mikel Arteta celebrated a significant win that showcased his team’s growth from past setbacks on Merseyside’s blue half.
The pivotal moment came courtesy of Leandro Trossard’s well-executed goal, making the difference in a game with limited opportunities, particularly for our opponents. Arteta was most pleased with his team’s control of the match, which earned them their first victory at Goodison Park since 2017.
Reflecting on breaking the Goodison hoodoo, Arteta said: “A six-year drought without a win here is quite a stretch, so we had to extract valuable lessons and elevate our performance.Â
“I’m thrilled with the win, but what delights me even more is how we secured it—the way we played, our dominance on the pitch, and the presence we displayed. We truly earned this victory.
“We had numerous other opportunities to breach their defense and create scoring chances”.Â
Arteta continued: “Credit to Everton; they defended their box exceptionally well and made some crucial blocks when we managed to open them up. It’s fantastic to have various methods of scoring goals; it adds unpredictability to our game.”
READ MORE: MATCH REVIEW: Arsenal beat Everton at Goodison Park with stunning Trossard strike.
The victory held extra significance for Mikel Arteta, who spent six years as a player at Everton. Heading back to his former home as a manager had proven to be a daunting task, with three previous losses under his belt.Â
However, this time, Arteta was elated to break that streak, especially considering the dedication of our supporters who traveled across the country on a Sunday afternoon to support the team as they secured their fourth win out of five matches to start the campaign.
“It’s a special place for me, as I have a deep emotional connection with this club,” Arteta shared. “I am immensely grateful for my time here. I wish the best for them, except when we play against them, and today we were fortunate to come out on top.”
Arteta also expressed his admiration for our supporters, stating, “Our fans are incredible. With each passing day and at every ground, they continue to show remarkable support, and they are relishing the moment. They play an incredibly vital role for us, and I hope everyone appreciates the time and effort they invest in standing by our side. See you on Wednesday!”
NEXT ARTICLE: The reason why Aaron Ramsdale has been dropped for the trip to Goodison Park.
