Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta praised his side’s “determination and conviction” as they beat their rivals Tottenham Hotspur 3-1 on Sunday.
The Gunners were the form team heading into the North London derby at the Emirates. They had won three straight games across all competitions in the build-up to this weekend’s game.
This showed when the game got going as Arsenal started the derby brilliantly. Spurs were quickly on the backfoot as they went 3-0 down before the break.
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Emile Smith Rowe, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Bukayo Saka got the goals as Arsenal were in control. Heung-Min Son got a goal back for Spurs late on as the hosts ran out 3-1 winners.
Arteta reacted to the victory post-match as he was interviewed by Sky Sports (as reported by BBC Sport). He urged his side to show consistency after this victory:
“This win is for the fans. They were there when we needed their support. We started really strongly and were determined. In the second half we had to do what we had to do.”
On what he liked the most, Arteta added: “The determination, the conviction and connection with our people.
“We just need to keep everyone healthy because we are going to need everyone. It was the exact mix we needed with the senior players and then the youth.
“It’s a special day. Today is one example of what we want to do. But we have to be consistent.”
Aubameyang also spoke after the game and he insisted that Arsenal’s young players “are doing amazing”:
“It means the world to us. The fans give us everything. They push us. It’s an amazing feeling, just unbelievable. It’s quite easy when they [the young players] listen and are ready to learn.
“The most important thing is they improve as they play. They are doing amazing. We are doing a good run so we want to go forward and win games. We are doing well right now.”
Smith Rowe was named as Gary Neville’s man of the match at full time and he described the derby win as “special”:
“It’s probably the best day of my life. To have my family here as well, it’s a special feeling.”
On Arteta: “He just tells us to keep calm. Also the fans and the players give us so much confidence as well.”