Arteta on Arsenal’s win over Fulham – “I’m even happier than last week”

Mikel Arteta has seen his side win four consecutive games to start the league season, and his team’s performance against Fulham has left him really happy.

Arsenal sit proudly at the top of the Premier League table after registering four wins from their opening four games. The Gunners had started the season in blistering fashion as they swept aside Crystal Palace, Leicester City, and Bournemouth.

In those three games, Arsenal had everything on their own terms. They controlled possession, created numerous chances, and, most importantly, got early goals to set the tone for the rest of the game.

“I’m even happier than last week” says Mikel Arteta after Fulham win

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Aside from a nervy moment against Leicester late in the second half, Arsenal have been relatively untroubled. That was until Fulham came to town.

The Cottagers were stout defensively and took a shock lead early in the second half thanks to an Aleksandar Mitrovic goal after he dispossessed Gabriel on the edge of the Arsenal box.

That was the first time Arsenal had fallen behind in the league this season, and we finally got to see how the team responded to its first setback. The answer was telling as two second-half goals from Martin Odegaard and Gabriel, who atoned for his mistake, kept the Gunners’ undefeated streak going.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta spoke to the club’s official website after the game and revealed that he was the happiest he has been this season with his young team. He was also pleased with how his team reacted to going behind after Gabriel’s error.

"“I’m even happier than last week, I think the performance was top, Arteta said.“I think from the start to finish we went for it, we had periods where we had complete control and dominance of the game and created many chances, many shots and many arrivals in the final third, but it wasn’t happening. It was just a matter of time and being patient and not making a mistake.“We did make a mistake, but then the best thing I think is the way the team reacted and Gabi reacted against adversity to overcome the situation. Obviously, when you have the character and support that we have in the stadium, that’s easy to do.”"

The win keeps Arsenal top of the league table as attention turns to a midweek clash against Steven Gerrard’s Aston Villa at the Emirates.

How Arsenal won is a far cry from the other three victories this season, but it is good to see the young side find another way to win games that aren’t going their way.