April 1st 2024.
During a post-match interview, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta reflected on his team's performance against Manchester City, admitting that they could have done more to secure a victory. Despite this, he praised his players for their incredible mentality, particularly singling out young defender William Saliba for his contribution.
In what was a challenging encounter against the reigning Premier League champions, Arsenal managed to become the first team in 76 games to prevent City from scoring at home. This solid defensive display earned them a point at the Etihad Stadium, although it also saw them slip to second in the league standings, two points behind Liverpool who secured a comeback win against Brighton on the same day.
Speaking about the game, Saliba acknowledged that while it was a tough match against a top team, they were not fully satisfied with just a draw. "We know it's not easy to come here and not concede," he said, "but we did well. Of course, we can be proud of stopping them from scoring, but the job is not finished. There are still nine games to go, and we need to win them."
The young defender also received praise from Arteta for his fine display, particularly in nullifying the threat of City's star striker Erling Haaland. When asked about Saliba's desire for more than a draw, the manager commented, "That's the feeling I get in the dressing room - it's unbelievable. To prevent this team from scoring at home for the first time in three years shows just how difficult it is. But my players want more, and I believe we could have done more as individuals and as a team, which is a good sign."
Looking ahead, Arteta is confident in his team's ability to continue performing at a high level, with a clear focus on winning their upcoming games. "It's good for our confidence, but we are not fully satisfied," he stated. "We are already looking ahead to the next game, and I believe we can achieve even more."
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