‘We always believed’ - Mikel Arteta praises Arsenal after ‘emotional’ win over Man Utd

Mikel Arteta praised the composure of his Arsenal players after they restored their five-point lead at the top of the Premier League table with a win by the odd goal in five against Manchester United.

The Spaniard was an excitable figure in the home technical area at the Emirates Stadium as his players more than played their part in an eventful affair. The two sides looked on their way to a share of the spoils as goals from visitors duo Marcus Rashford and Lisandro Martinez sandwiched fine finishes from Bukayo Saka and Eddie Nketiah.

But it was Nketiah that would deliver the decisive blow as the in-form striker converted from close range in the final minute to ensure his side rounded off made it seven games unbeaten in all competitions ahead of Friday night’s FA Cup fourth round tie at Manchester City.

After the game, Arteta told Sky Sports: “(It was) emotional, a lot of passion, a lot of quality, it doesn’t get much better than that.

“After the derby away, to come here against this team and play the way we played again, the performance we had all over the game, especially the second-half, it was incredible. To win it in that way makes it even better.

“I think mentally and emotionally we were really composed but really determined at the same time. We managed those moments in the game really well, we never panicked, we kept believing, we kept doing the same things even better than before and we always believed we could win it.”

The win means the current set of Gunners heroes have racked up the best start in the club’s Premier League history after they hit a half-century of points as the season reached its midway point.

Arteta refused to acknowledge his side are favourites to claim a first Premier League title since 2003 and urged them to fully focus on the challenges that lie in wait throughout the remainder of the campaign.

“It’s great and I think we deserve where we are because of the way we are playing but don’t get confused. It’s about what we do tonight and tomorrow and there are a lot of things we can do much better.

“We’ve been talking about pressure for the last 12 or 13 weeks but in the Premier League it is so difficult to win. The margins are so small, every team are really well equipped and they will make life very difficult for you. We know that and we have to prepare every single day for that.”