March 19th 2023.
Mikel Arteta has divulged that he had predicted Granit Xhaka would score in their 4-1 win against Crystal Palace, with the Swiss international having now netted in back-to-back games for Arsenal.
The Gunners head coach praised Xhaka's display this season so far, with the team currently eight points clear at the summit of the Premier League table, and eyeing their first championship since 2004.
When questioned about Xhaka's goal, Arteta said: 'Believe in the game, get in the right position, believe the ball is going to land in the right moment and then being clinical there. I had a feeling today. I told him ‘you’re going to score again’ because when you have that mindset and you are there and I see the way he’s training, good things are going to happen. He’s been phenomenal all season'.
Arteta also discussed how his team have managed to cope with injuries, saying: 'We had to respond and we talked about having players out all season. To be at the top you need to be at it at all times and this group of players are ready to do that. Gabriel Jesus was out for four months, Emile Smith Rowe out for four-and-a-half months, Kiernan Tierney, Thomas Partey, Eddie Nketiah out for two-and-a-half months, now William Saliba and Takehiro Tomiyasu. We overcome those situations, Rob [Holding] came in and was brilliant today. Everyone has to give another edge to be at the same level, it’s not a secret.'
The Arsenal boss continued: 'It's so poor! Everyone is willing to play and put their bodies on the line and I am happy that our players are happy to do that. To be at the top you have to do that at all times.'
(Image Source: https://metro.co.uk)
Mikel Arteta has made known that he had predicted Granit Xhaka would score in their 4-1 victory against Crystal Palace, with the Swiss international now having netted in two consecutive matches for Arsenal.
The Gunners boss praised Xhaka's performance thus far this season, with the team currently sitting eight points clear at the top of the Premier League table, and hoping to clinch their first championship title since 2004.
When asked about Xhaka's goal, Arteta said: 'Have faith in the game, get into the correct position, trust the ball will land in the right moment and then be precise there. I had a feeling today. I told him ‘you’re going to score again’ because when you have that attitude and you are there and I see the way he’s training, good things are going to happen. He’s been remarkable all season'.
Arteta also commented on how his team have coped with injuries this term, saying: 'We had to respond and we talked about having players out all season. To be at the top you must be at it always and this group of players are willing to do that. Gabriel Jesus was out for four months, Emile Smith Rowe out for four-and-a-half months, Kiernan Tierney, Thomas Partey, Eddie Nketiah out for two-and-a-half months, now William Saliba and Takehiro Tomiyasu. We overcame those situations, Rob [Holding] came in and was brilliant today. Everyone has to give another edge to be at the same level, it’s not a secret.'
The Arsenal manager continued: 'It's so poor! Everyone is eager to play and put their bodies on the line and I am glad that our players are willing to do that. To be at the top you have to do that at all times.'
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