Mikel Arteta celebrated Arsenal’s “special” 1-0 victory against Manchester City, putting an end to an eight-year spell without a Premier League win over Pep Guardiola’s squad.
Arsenal secured their first top-flight triumph over the treble champions since December 2015 when Gabriel Martinelli’s shot, deflected in the 86th minute, settled a tense contest at the Emirates Stadium.
With a two-point cushion over City, Arsenal sits in second place as they vie for their first title in two decades. The haunting memory of last season’s late collapse, which saw Guardiola’s side seize the trophy, motivates their current campaign.
Considering their string of 12 consecutive league losses against City leading up to this weekend, it was no wonder that Arteta and his players basked in the post-match celebrations on the field, much to the delight of their ecstatic fans.
‘It is a special one. It has been a long time since the club beat Manchester City,’ Arteta said.
‘We felt today could be the day but we needed a big performance from everyone and we had that.’
‘The players had incredible discipline, they won so many balls. We lacked a bit of threat but overall the atmosphere was just incredible.’
The halftime substitution of Brazil winger Martinelli by Arteta proved to be a judicious choice, as Thomas Partey and Kai Havertz, both brought on from the bench, played instrumental roles in the goal.
‘We started the second half really, really well. The subs made a huge difference,’ Arteta said.
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‘Martinelli made a huge effort to be in the game, nobody believed he would (be) there. The medical staff were trembling but he was there and he was excellent.’
Arsenal’s heart-wrenching collapse in the preceding season could have had a substantial impact on their morale as they kicked off the new campaign.
Arteta’s adeptness at keeping his players concentrated yielded impressive results, as they showcased unwavering determination in thwarting City and delivering a late, unexpected strike.
‘We knew we would have to suffer and we did that. You need a big performance. It feels like a big win,’ Arteta said.
‘It sends a message to our team, to keep doing what we are doing and stay humble and then we are a very difficult team to beat.’
As the international break approaches, Arsenal is riding high on the wave of a therapeutic victory, leaving them narrowly trailing leaders Tottenham based on goal differential. In contrast, Guardiola confronts issues as City suffers their third loss in four recent games across all competitions.
The champions have lost two league matches in a row for the first time since December 2018, with their north London disappointment following a 2-1 defeat at Wolves the previous weekend and a League Cup loss to Newcastle.
‘We tried. I think from both sides there was not a lot of chances. Both teams did good high pressing. It was tight and in the end, one action, we lost the game. Congratulations to them,’ Guardiola said.
After the match, an altercation took place in which City’s Erling Haaland and Kyle Walker were apparently engaged with members of Arsenal’s backroom and security staff. Nevertheless, both managers decided not to divulge the particulars of the incident.
On the way to the tunnel, it seemed that Haaland and Arsenal’s set-piece coach, Nicolas Jover, were involved in a pushing confrontation.
‘I know what happened and I don’t want to say anything,’ Guardiola said, while Arteta had nothing to add on the row.