Mikel Arteta has lauded the importance of Arsenal’s supporters in their comeback victory over Fulham at the Emirates on Saturday.
Goals from Martin Odegaard and Gabriel helped them overcome the obstacle set up by Alexandar Mitrovic’s second-half opener.
Last season, the Gunners had trouble overturning deficits in order to win, particularly while they were in a winning streak. However, Arteta’s team rallied after Gabriel’s error handed them their first deficit of the year.
During the news conference following the game, he said, “I’m really happy with the performance, the attitude, and the mentality that the team showed. We were on top of the game, it was about being patient and the goal would come because we were deserving, but we had trouble with mistakes.
“We made an error, it cost us again, but the team showed that against adversity – Gabby individually, how he continued to play – and the unbelievable support we have in the stadium makes things much easier, and the team just has to win.”
He continued praising the home crowd: “The reaction of everyone after the goal straight away, the reaction of the stadium, gives support to the player, belief, and then the player has to show courage to continue playing. It’s about how you respond, and I’m really pleased. The way he’s [Gabriel] changed mentally, the way he approaches every single day, it’s different to a year or two ago.
“He looks after himself every day. Football is the most important thing in his life apart from his daughter and his family. How consistent he is every day in his habits and how much he really wants to be one of the best.”
The outcome restores Arsenal to the top of the Premier League standings following the earlier games of the afternoon, keeping the league’s only 100% record following a blazing start to the season.
