Arsenal continued their strong start to the Premier League season with a narrow but hard-fought victory over Fulham, as Mikel Arteta hailed his side’s growing maturity and defensive discipline at Craven Cottage.
The Gunners were made to work for the three points in west London, eventually sealing the win through a late set-piece after being frustrated for long spells by Marco Silva’s well-organised team
The result seemed to provide further evidence of the change in mindset of Arteta's side, and that this is now a team capable of grinding out results in difficult circumstances.
Arteta revealed he was proud of how his players handled the challenge after an unconvincing first half, “very good, it is a really tough place to come.
Mikel Arteta was full of praise for his side
|REUTERS
“We have experienced that in the last few years. We put a lot into it – we had some giveaways in the first half, but we became more dominant throughout the game. The simplicity in certain aspects with the ball. We had to change the structure as well to facilitate that, and it gave us fluidity. They have been together for many years, so they know how to adapt.”
The Arsenal manager praised the team’s response and highlighted the growing confidence of forward Leandro Trossard, whose goal proved decisive.
He said: “It is very early in the season, but it is great for Leandro to be scoring. Another clean sheet which is good to see, so I am very happy," he told Sky Sports.
Speaking later to the BBC, Arteta commended his side’s defensive resilience and game management. “It is a really tough place to come, a really organised team and a really good manager who knows how to set up. When the context is 0-0 and the game gets longer and longer it becomes more difficult, but we showed a lot of maturity.
Leandro Trossard scored the crucial goal
|REUTERS
"We kept knocking on the door in various ways and in the end we find a way with the set piece to do it but we deserved it in the end.”
He also pointed to the team’s defensive record as a mark of their progress. “I don’t think we conceded a shot on target, which tells you again how well we were organised,” he said: “We had a spell in the first 10–15 minutes where we had a few giveaways and transitions and momentum to them without them really doing much. We have to keep going now. We have another big one on Tuesday, they are coming thick and fast.”
LATEST SPORTS NEWS
- Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri crash out of the US Grand Prix sprint race as the title race is blown wide open
- Ange Postecoglou sacked by Nottingham Forest just minutes after nightmare Chelsea defeat
- Premier League round-up: Man City, Burnley and Sunderland all pick up wins and Crystal Palace draw thriller
Arteta added that the players’ collective commitment was key to maintaining consistency.
“Yes, that’s what we need, but it’s about the commitment from every single player and the enjoyment that they have to maintain that solidity and the foundation that we build for the team to compete against any opponent," he concluded.
Arsenal now top the Premier League
|REUTERS
Bukayo Saka, who was instrumental in Arsenal’s attacking play, said the result showed the team’s growing maturity on the road. “This season we beat Newcastle who we struggled against away in the past, so it is points that in recent seasons we haven’t been picking up, so we are happy with this result,” he said.
Reflecting on the overturned penalty decision, Saka added, “For me, it is a penalty. Of course I understand he touched the ball, but I feel a big contact on my right knee before he touched the ball. The decision has been made so I don’t want to dwell on it.”