Mikel Arteta praised the winning mentality of his Arsenal side after they opened their Premier League campaign with a 1-0 win over Manchester United at Old Trafford.
Riccardo Calafiori scored the only goal in the 13th minute, pouncing from close range after goalkeeper Altay Bayindir failed to deal with Declan Rice’s inswinging corner.
For Arsenal, the result reinforced their transformation away to fellow “Big Six” clubs. In September 2020, less than a year into Arteta’s tenure, the Gunners had won only two of their previous 40 away matches against such opposition.
Now, they are unbeaten in 21 consecutive league fixtures against Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester United, Manchester City and Tottenham over the past two seasons.
Reflecting on the progress, Arteta said: “Well I think that was the case… It was 18 years or 22 years here at Old Trafford without winning before I came, and now I go in the dressing room, we won here the first game, and we are not still happy. Good sign.
“A big, big result coming into the first game of the season at Old Trafford. When you feel that they are building something special and momentum with the new signings and they want to kick on the season in a good way and you are able to come away with the win, I think I’m very happy.”
Arteta was equally pleased with the way his players responded to difficult moments during the contest.
“We showed it in a different way today. I think we did two things very well. One, to take the set-piece and then react to especially mistakes. Some of them are necessary, some of them unusual. But the way every single player reacted to that gives us the opportunity to win the game.
If not, it’s impossible. And that’s about how we compete and how much we want to take it.”
Next up, Arsenal return to the Emirates to host Leeds on August 23. Manchester United are back in action the following day, travelling to Craven Cottage to face Fulham.
