Mikel Arteta explains Arsenal dressing room inquest that led to stunning Chelsea win

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta held a dressing inquest after three straight defeats that led to the team responding with an emphatic 4-2 win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

The Gunners had lost to Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park, then to Brighton Hove and Albion at home before falling to Southampton at the St Mary’s.

The defeats had also come at a time injuries to key duo Thomas Partey and Kieran Tierney were threatening to deflate the squad and their Champions League ambitions.

But a brace from Eddie Nketiah, who grabbed his first and second league goals of the season and a goal each from Emile Smith Rowe and Bukayo Saka gave the Gunners a lifeline in their ultimate quest for Europe.

Timo Werner and César Azpilicueta scored in between for Chelsea, but they were more consolation goals in the end with Arsenal deserving all three points due to their bravery and efficiency on the night.

When asked how proud he was of his team after turning things around in enemy territory, Arteta revealed a quite effective message.

The Gunners boss said: “Well I said to them that’s the game that we had in hand, and if you want to be playing Champions League football you have to come to these big stages and beat the top teams.

“Tonight we’ve done it and I’m really proud of them tonight, but I’m more proud of how they’ve reacted to every defeat over the past few weeks.

“Not only the players but as a staff and a club, and that’s what reinforces me and gives me a reminder of how lucky I am to be here.”

The Gunners now will have little time to celebrate their victory as they have to continue winning games when Manchester United come to the Emirates this weekend.

United are struggling and will face Arsenal having been battered by Liverpool, losing 4-0 at Anfield and in desperate need of a response.

A defeat for Ralf Rangnick at the Emirates will ultimately end their slim hopes of making it into the top four.