I want I used to be a fly on the wall within the Arsenal dressing room at half-time on Sunday as a result of I feel a variety of the distinction between their first and second-half efficiency was right down to the sort of motivation from the supervisor that I’m speaking about.
It was the identical at Anfield final week, after they had been 2-0 right down to Liverpool on the break and Arteta informed them he was not accepting that stage of efficiency. They weren’t behind towards Newcastle this time however they might have been, and he deserves some credit score for the way they turned issues round once more.
Like Wenger, Arteta has acquired his lieutenants – the gamers he can depend on – and Declan Rice stepped up once more on Sunday. You would inform he was in need of full health as a result of he was blowing a bit however Arsenal wanted him, and he delivered.
There was a little bit of a cup last really feel in regards to the sport as a result of Champions League qualification was using on it for each groups and naturally there was an edge to it, with Newcastle beating Arsenal 3 times this season already.
They wanted to be put to mattress, actually, and Arsenal did that within the second half – even when the sport nonetheless had fairly a tense ending.
I do not assume Arsenal followers had been precisely celebrating second place on the last whistle however it’s nonetheless fairly an achievement for them to get again into the Champions League for a 3rd straight season, after they had been away for six years.
When you think about the place Arsenal had been when Arteta took over in 2019, I feel he has completed an incredible job.
Accidents have massively impacted them this season, nevertheless it nonetheless seems like now we have acquired our Arsenal again – they’re on the correct path, and the trophies he craves will observe.
Martin Keown was talking to BBC Sport’s Chris Bevan.
About the Author
